Florida takes exception to Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist list
Three SECÂ 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.
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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 (@NickdelaTorreGC) 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 (@NickdelaTorreGC) 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.
— Only Gators .com (@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.
— 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
@GatorsFB 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
If I was Florida, I would be mad, too. You’re telling me that Michigan has TWO players on this list, and Wyoming and Air Force each have DB’s better than either of the Florida CB’s???? Wow, surely you jest. Doesn’t matter if “they don’t have to be a semifinalist to win the award.” This list lost some credibility in my eyes, and certainly in the eyes of the Florida faithful.
What about Jamal Adams missing from the list? Pretty sure Tabor, Wilson and Adams will all go pretty high in next years draft.
This is like any poll. It does not mean anything. Only after all the playing is done, does it matter.
Teez Nuts!! Ha. Got eem.
Seriously though get burnt to lose a game and tell me again why you’re the best DB in college football. #jjennings
Who have they played again? UT passed all over them…..and a bunch of 100plus ranked offenses…..
These guys were burnt by the only team they played with a pulse.
Tabor was burned one time check quincys stats… I can promise you he hasnt been burnt a single time all year..
And thats why they wont win games. No TEAM there. Just individual “hero” players. Thats why TN has problems too.
Look at Bama, TAMU, LSU, Auburn. Teamwork, the definition of success
5 straight number 1 recruiting classes… thats success
Who has FL played this year with any depth??
Only one team, TN, and FL lost
Quincy Wilson’s stat line by my tracking: 3 catches for 39 yards allowed on 22 targets, with 3 INTs and 3 PBUs.
If this doesn’t qualify for one of the best DB’s in the game then I don’t know what does. I don’t care who you play those stats are crazy insane! Hopefully this snubbing will make those guys work even harder.
Great. Set their hair on fire the week of the Cocktail Party . . . .
And anybody that watched the Florida Tennessee game knows that Wilson was lock down. Tabor was beaten once on a play in which he fell down. Tennessee was beating Floridas nickel and LBs but hey everyone thinks they are a know it all. And pretty sure Mizzou and Kentucky had some pretty solid passing stats before getting dumped by Florida. They will shut down UGA. Have fun watching Florida play in Atlanta again Tennessee fans. Good luck against the Cocktail weinies this week.
Tabor was beat 3 or 4 times that game by Jennings. Torched once “he fell down”. Jennings shook him out of his shoes, that is why Tabor fell down. Tabor’s draft stock has dropped a ton.
Wilson is legit.