Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
The Big Ten is well represented on the list of 13 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back.
Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis and Michigan State safety Otis Wiley all made the list of semifinalists.
Jenkins, considered the Thorpe Award frontrunner entering the season, has three interceptions, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown against Purdue.
Davis is Illinois' third-leading tackler (58) and has an interception and seven pass breakups this season. The junior also has three forced fumbles, which ties for the league lead.
Wiley ties for the league lead in interceptions (4) and ranks second in passes defended (11). He also ranks fourth in the Big Ten in punt return average (10.8 ypr).
Here's the complete list of Thorpe Award semifinalists:
- Asher Allen, Jr., Georgia
- Eric Berry, So., Tennessee
- Emanuel Cook, Jr., So. Carolina
- Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois
- Trimane Goddard, Sr., N. Carolina
- Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State
- Trevard Lindley, Jr., Kentucky
- Taylor Mays, Jr., USC
- Mike Mickens, Sr., Cincinnati
- D.J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt
- William Moore, Sr., Missouri
- Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest
- Otis Wiley, Sr., Michigan State
Adam Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
