Pair of FSU DBs Land on Thorpe Watch List

It comes as little surprise that two Florida State defensive backs find themselves on the Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list.

Junior cornerback Tarvarus McFadden and redshirt sophomore safety Derwin James each received the recognition Friday morning. Both were also previously named to Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy watch lists. James was named to the preseason Maxwell Award watch list.

McFadden returns after leading the nation in interceptions a season ago with eight, which was also the second most for an FSU player in a single season. McFadden added 20 total tackles and three for loss.

Big things are expected of James after missing all but two games last season. In those two games, James recorded 11 tackles and an interception.

Both McFadden and James will vie to become the third FSU player to win the Thorpe Award, which has been given annually to the nation’s top defensive back since 1986. The previous two winners from Florida State are Deion Sanders in 1988 and Terrell Buckley in 1991.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson