USC’s Adoree’ Jackson Named to Thorpe Award 2015 Watch List

USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson was named to the Thorpe Award watch list for the 2015 season as a candidate to be declared the nation’s best defensive back.

The three-way star and two-sport athlete flashed as a freshman for the Trojans in 2014. Entering with a heap of expectations as a highly-touted recruit, Jackson exceeded those expectations by playing both offense, defense and special teams to start the year.

By the second game of the season Jackson started at cornerback would go on to start ten games total for USC at that position, allowing just one touchdown pass against him the entire season.

Named a first team Freshman All-American, Jackson finished the year with 49 tackles and ten deflections on defense.

If any USC cornerback of the past decade has a chance to secure the Thorpe, Jackson certainly stands out. Though young, Jackson proved a top-class defender and should only get better at his craft with more time in Justin Wilcox’s system.

More from Reign of Troy

Perhaps the biggest obstacle standing in Jackson’s way is his involvement in other facets of the game.

USC has had one Thorpe Award winner in its history. Mark Carrier brought home the title in 1989. Troy Polamalu was a finalist for the award in 2002, as was Taylor Mays in 2008.

Joining Jackson among the 42 players on the watch list are fellow Pac-12 rivals Ishmael Adams and Fabian Moreau of UCLA, Budda Baker of Washington and Jordan Simone of Arizona State.

Jackson already boasts a place on watch lists for the Hornung, Bednarik and Nagurski Awards. The latter two are given to the Defensive Player of the Year as determined by the Maxwell Football and Charlotte TD Clubs. The former is awarded to the player deemed by the Lousville Sports Commission to be the most versatile player in college football.

Home/USC FOOTBALL NEWS