OKLAHOMA CITY – Ole Miss junior Tony Conner has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award, announced Monday by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
The Thorpe Award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football. The 2015 watch list includes 42 players, with three hailing from the Southeastern Conference.

A Batesville native, Conner has been a force in the Rebels’ defensive backfield during his first two seasons. He has racked up 135 tackles, 14 TFLs, two sacks and two interceptions. A two-year starter at the hybrid Huskie position (a safety who has to cover passes and often lines up in the box, as well), Conner has the size (6-0, 215) and speed to create big problems for the opposing offense. He was a second team AP All-SEC pick last season.

This preseason, Conner has also been tabbed to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year) and has been tabbed a first team All-American by Athlon. He’s an All-SEC first team pick by Athlon, Birmingham News and CFB Matrix, while a second-teamer according to Lindy’s and Phil Steele. He’s been listed as the SEC’s best safety by Birmingham News and the second-most physical player in the nation by NFL.com.

The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015 on ESPN.

The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 in Oklahoma City.

Last year, Ole Miss DBs Senquez Golson and Cody Prewitt were both named semifinalists for the award.