DeAndre Baker becomes first Georgia player to win Jim Thorpe Award
Georgia DB DeAndre Baker had an exceptional 2018 season. Now he has the hardware to prove he was the nation’s best player in his position group. Baker won the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Thursday night at the College Football Awards Show, beating out Notre Dame’s Julian Love and LSU’s Greedy Williams.
The Thorpe Award is annually given to the best defensive back in the country. Baker is the first Bulldog to ever win the award. The honor went to Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick last season.
Baker recently revealed he will play in the Sugar Bowl instead of opting out to avoid any possible injury in his last game before the NFL Draft. He said he wants to go out with a win.
In his acceptance interview with Chris Fowler, Baker credited practicing against Georgia’s talented wide receivers with helping him become the nation’s best defensive back.
The best DB in the nation…
Georgia’s DeAndre Baker wins the @JimThorpeAward! pic.twitter.com/XZhrcsRdsd
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 7, 2018