Verone McKinley III has arguably been the MVP for the Oregon Ducks this season, and his play on the field has undoubtedly shot him up a number of NFL draft boards. On top of that, he has also been named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football.
McKinley is currently second in the nation with 4 interceptions on the season. He is also one of 12 players to be named a semifinalist for the award, which was won last year by TCU’s Tre’von Moehrig. In 2019, Oregon’s Jevon Holland was also named a semifinalist for the award.
Here is the full list of semifinalists in 2021:
- Coby Bryant – Cincinnati
- Lewis Cine – Georgia
- Jaylan Foster – South Carolina
- Ahmad Gardner – Cincinnati
- Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame
- Matt Hankins – Iowa
- Brandon Hill – Pittsburgh
- Verone McKinley III – Oregon
- Ja’Quan McMillian – East Carolina
- Riley Moss – Iowa
- Jalen Pitre – Baylor
According to a release from the UO, McKinley III is the eighth player in program history to be named a Thorpe Award semifinalist, and first since Jevon Holland in 2019. Ifo Ekpre Olomu – a semifinalist in 2012, 2013 and 2014 – is the lone Duck ever to be selected as a finalist (2014) for the prestigious award.
Three finalists for the award will be selected on November 23rd, and the winner will be announced on December 9th.
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