USC's Adoree' Jackson Wins Thorpe Award

LOS ANGELES, CA -- USC cornerback Adoree' Jackson won the Jim Thorpe Award Thursday as college football's top defensive back.

The other two finalists were Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis and LSU cornerback Tre'Davious White. Jackson is a junior, while Lewis and White are both seniors.

Jackson is third in the nation in punt returns with a 15.9-yard average; sixth in kickoff returns with a 30.5-yard average and has scored touchdowns this season on offense, defense, returning a punt and returning a kickoff.

"He's one of the most football-smart guys I've ever been associated with," USC coach Clay Helton said.

The winner was announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, which was broadcast on ESPN. The award was presented at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta by Thomas Everett, the award's first recipient.

The award has been given annually since 1986. The only previous USC winner was Mark Carrier in 1989.

The award is named for Jim Thorpe, considered North America's greatest all-around athlete. He is a member of the college and pro football halls of fame, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who also played major league baseball and professional basketball.

Thorpe died in Lomita in 1953 at the age of 65.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of USC Sports Information