Three SEC schools got some good news Monday when the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced the 16 semifinalists for this year’s Jim Thorpe Award.
Florida wasn’t one of them.
The Gators seemingly expected Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson to make the list for the Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back as decided by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Tabor has defended five passes and hauled in four interceptions, while Wilson has six passes defended to go along with three picks.
Both cornerbacks are key pieces of the nation’s second-best passing defense, which is why many were surprised to see their names absent from the 16 semifinalists.
Mac on Jalen Tabor and Quincy WIlson: "I don't know who makes those lists but I'll put those two up against anyone in the country." #Gators
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) October 24, 2016
Marcus Maye told that Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson and himself were left off the Thorpe Award semifinalist list: "Oh wow."
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) October 24, 2016
Just now seeing Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist list. To have neither Quincy Wilson nor Jalen Tabor on there, let alone both, is astonishing.
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) October 24, 2016
Organizers of Thorpe Award deem 16 DBs better than #Gators @dc_wilson954, @_31Flavorz & @alldayMAYE: https://t.co/qTU7jHgdr7 pic.twitter.com/8S7rttqbpP
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) October 24, 2016
Florida was so surprised that it reached out to Thorpe Award officials for clarification on what being a semifinalist actually meant. The answer was perplexing.
Per the @jimthorpeaward, a finalist for the award does not have to be on the semifinalist list, which was released today.
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 24, 2016
That odd bit of information sparked a few other reactions on social media.
I wonder if you have to be a Jim Thorpe Award finalist to be the Jim Thorpe Award winner.
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) October 24, 2016
y'all need to worry about winning the east not awards
— Stormyeee (@Stormyeee) October 24, 2016
So you can leave guys like Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson off and get a bunch of free publicity? ? https://t.co/x56SzP67WV
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) October 24, 2016
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
