University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
TJ Carter Named to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
Jul 22, 2019 | Football
Becomes the sixth Tiger on a preseason watch list.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Junior defensive back TJ Carter (Nashville, Tennessee/Stratford HS) was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List Monday.
Carter has been a part of the Tigers' starting lineup in the secondary since his freshman season. On his first collegiate snap, Carter recovered a fumble game-opening kickoff return and has been a part of every Tiger game since. In 27 career games, he has made 27 starts and is a two-time, second-team all-conference honoree. A FWAA and ESPN Freshman All-American in 2017, he was also named the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week in 2017.
In two seasons, he has 137 total tackles, with 30 passes defended and seven interceptions. He also has two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 2.5 tackles for loss and holds the freshman record for interceptions in a season with five.
The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character and the preseason list has 46 nominees. The watch list is selected by a screening committee, but is not final, as players are added midseason as needed.
The Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards show December 1. The winner will also be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on February 4, 2020.
Carter is the sixth different Tiger to make it onto a preseason watch list. Bryce Huff (Bednarik), Patrick Taylor (Maxwell Award, AFCA Good Works, Doak Walker), Damonte Coxie (Biletnikoff Award), Joey Magnifico (Mackey Award) and Dustin Woodard (Rimington Trophy) all were named to lists last week.
The 2019 football season gets underway on August 31 when Memphis hosts Ole Miss on a nationally-broadcast game on ABC at 11 a.m. (CT). Tickets for that game and the entire six-game are available in a season-ticket package on sale now at www.GoTigersGoTix.com.
Carter has been a part of the Tigers' starting lineup in the secondary since his freshman season. On his first collegiate snap, Carter recovered a fumble game-opening kickoff return and has been a part of every Tiger game since. In 27 career games, he has made 27 starts and is a two-time, second-team all-conference honoree. A FWAA and ESPN Freshman All-American in 2017, he was also named the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week in 2017.
In two seasons, he has 137 total tackles, with 30 passes defended and seven interceptions. He also has two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 2.5 tackles for loss and holds the freshman record for interceptions in a season with five.
The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character and the preseason list has 46 nominees. The watch list is selected by a screening committee, but is not final, as players are added midseason as needed.
The Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards show December 1. The winner will also be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on February 4, 2020.
Carter is the sixth different Tiger to make it onto a preseason watch list. Bryce Huff (Bednarik), Patrick Taylor (Maxwell Award, AFCA Good Works, Doak Walker), Damonte Coxie (Biletnikoff Award), Joey Magnifico (Mackey Award) and Dustin Woodard (Rimington Trophy) all were named to lists last week.
The 2019 football season gets underway on August 31 when Memphis hosts Ole Miss on a nationally-broadcast game on ABC at 11 a.m. (CT). Tickets for that game and the entire six-game are available in a season-ticket package on sale now at www.GoTigersGoTix.com.
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