Hall Named Thorpe Award Semifinalist
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The Jim Thorpe Award Screening Committee has announced today (Nov. 7) the selection of University of Michigan senior cornerback Leon Hall (Vista, Calif./Vista HS) as one of 11 semifinalists for the 2006 Jim Thorpe Award. The annual award is presented to the nation's top collegiate defensive back for on-field performance, athletic ability and character. Hall and Ohio State's Antonio Smith are the only conference players on the list of semifinalists.
Hall
Hall has swatted away a career-best 15 balls this season. He ranks tops in the Big Ten and fifth nationally with 15 PBUs and has chipped in a team-leading three interceptions. Hall has contributed 31 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack this season. He has collected at least one pass breakup in nine straight games and heads to Indiana tied for second on Michigan's season pass breakup list with 1997 Thorpe Award winner Charles Woodson (1995-97).
Hall has been a consistent presence in the Wolverine backfield, playing in all 47 career games. He has made a team-leading 34 starts on defense, all at cornerback, and heads into the Indiana game looking to set the Michigan career pass breakup record. Hall picked up his 40th career PBU against Ball State and needs one breakup to equal the school record. Hall is tied for fourth in U-M history with 12 career interceptions. He has contributed 166 stops from his cornerback spot, including seven tackles for loss, four sacks and five fumble recoveries.
The Thorpe Award's current list of 11 semifinalists will be trimmed to three finalists on Nov. 20. The winner of the 20th annual award will be announced during the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 7. The official presentation of the Thorpe Award will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 12, 2007.
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
