Another preseason watch list is out, and today we're looking at some of the best players in the secondary.
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list was released Friday, and four SEC players made the cut. The Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation's best defensive back. The last four winners have come from the SEC. Will one of these four take home the award at the end of the season?
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Jr., Alabama
Andre Hal, CB, Sr., Vanderbilt
Craig Loston, S, Sr., LSU
Damian Swann, CB, Jr., Georgia
Can't disagree with any of these four, but I'm shocked Florida cornerbacks Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson didn't make it. Purifoy might be the most athletic corner in the country and is projected by many to be the top corner taken in next year's NFL draft. He's rangy, fast and developed into a better pure cover man as last season went on. He's also on the Nagurski and Bednarik watch lists. As for Roberson, he was already one of the best cover corners in the game, defending 14 passes and grabbing two interceptions last year. Both could be first-round picks next year.
No Kenny Ladler? Vandy's senior safety can play all over the field and had 60 solo tackles to go with his 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions last year.
Mississippi State senior safety Nickoe Whitley, Alabama corner Deion Belue and Missouri corner E.J. Gaines are also some players to keep a close eye on when it comes to the Thorpe Award this fall.
