FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas' secondary could be one of the top units in the country and the Jim Thorpe Association screening committee agrees after listing a national-high three Razorbacks on the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the top defensive back in the country.
Thirty-six players are on the list, led by Arkansas' trio of junior free safety Ken Hamlin, junior cornerback Lawrence Richardson and sophomore cornerback Ahmad Carroll.
Hamlin, listed as a preseason All-American and the No. 1 free safety in the nation by The Sporting News, was an honorable mention All-American last year when he led all SEC defensive backs with 118 tackles. He also had 10 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, three tackles for losses, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
Richardson, listed as the seventh-best cornerback in the nation by Lindy's Sports Annuals, led the SEC and was sixth in the nation with a school-record 20 pass deflections last year while also making 51 tackles with three interceptions. He also returned 18 kickoffs an average of 23.1 yards, including a 98-yard runback for a touchdown against Weber State.
Carroll, listed as the fourth-best cornerback in the nation by Phil Steele's College Football, was a third-team freshman All-American as selected by The Sporting News after recording 42 tackles and 13 pass deflections.
"It is always an honor for our student-athletes to be recognized among the nation's best," Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. "We are fortunate to be the only school in the country with three players on the list. That is a credit to those three individuals, their teammates and the countless others that have enabled them to succeed. Now, it's time to get on the game field and make the most of our potential, both individually and as a team."
As a unit, Arkansas' secondary is ranked No. 1 in the SEC by Athlon Sports and Lindy's Sports Annuals, No. 2 in the nation by Phil Steele's College Football, No. 3 nationally by Lindy's, No. 4 by Athlon and No. 8 by The Sporting News.
Carroll is the seventh different Razorback to be named to a preseason watch list. Hamlin and Richardson were previously named to the Football Writers Association of America preseason All-America watch list, along with tailback Fred Talley and offensive tackle Shawn Andrews. Hamlin is also on the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Year award list.
Punter Richie Butler is on the Ray Guy Award list, linebacker Tony Bua is on the Butkus Award list, Andrews is also on the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy lists, and Talley is on the Doak Walker Award watch list.
The Jim Thorpe Association screening committee will announce 10 semi-finalist in November and name three finalists Thanksgiving week. A national selection committee will choose the winner, which will be announced Dec. 12 at ESPN's College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla. A former presentation of the award is scheduled for Feb. 11 in Oklahoma City.
Following is the complete 2002 Jim Thorpe Award watch list:
