Nov. 4, 2008
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Vanderbilt junior cornerback D.J. Moore was named as a semifinalist for the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award today. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.
Moore, from Broome High School in Spartanburg, S.C., is one of 13 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award. The Thorpe winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally on Dec. 11.
Other semifinalists besides Moore include Asher Allen, Jr., Georgia; Eric Berry, So., Tennessee; Emanuel Cook, Jr., So. Carolina; Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois; Trimane Goddard, Sr., North Carolina; Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State; Trevard Lindley, Jr., Kentucky; Taylor Mays, Jr., USC; Mike Mickens, Sr., Cincinnati; William Moore, Sr., Missouri; Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest; and Otis Wiley, Sr., Michigan State.
Thorpe is generally considered history’s greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also as an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as “The Legend”, Thorpe also played professional baseball and won gold medals in the 1912 Olympics decathlon and pentathlon.
Moore, a three-year starter in the Commodore secondary who has shown the versatility to play cornerback, receiver and quarterback on offense, and serve as the team’s top returner, entered the season as a consensus All-Southeastern Conference defensive back.
He has continued his excellent play this season, contributing three interceptions, 33 total tackles and five defensed passes for a Commodore unit that ranks No. 15 nationally in scoring defense and 37th in total defense.
“D.J. is an outstanding player, and continues to play well for our team,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. “He’s just a tremendous athlete and football player, a guy that has a nose for the football. He’s a very deserving candidate for the Thorpe Award.”
Moore shares the Commodore active lead with 10 interceptions. Six of Moore’s picks came last year when he earned first team All-SEC recognition from sportswriters and second team honors from the coaches. Moore also earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2007 after helping the Commodores win at South Carolina 17-6 by intercepting two Gamecock passes.
Moore finished the 2007 season as the Commodores’ leader with 63 solo tackles, and ranked second with 10 defensed passes.
Moore also ranks among the top return specialists in the SEC. After accumulating the most kickoff return yards in Vanderbilt history last year, Moore has been a dynamic punt returner this season, averaging 16.4 yards, third best in the SEC and sixth best in the nation.
