Clemson’s Hamlin on Thorpe watch list

By Marc Hudgens  |   Thursday, August 02, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

Clemson Tigers
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Clemson Tigers safety Michael Hamlin recently became one of 35 players named to this upcoming season's Jim Thorpe Award watch list. The honor is given to the nation's top NCAA defensive back every year, and it's among the most prestigious college awards. Fittingly, Hamlin has proven he's one of the best defensive backs in the nation going into the 2007 season.

A native of Timmonsville, S.C., Hamlin ended 2006 with 64 tackles in 10 games, including two picks and 47 first hits. This is particularly impressive given that the junior was out for three games last season because of a broken foot that occurred during the Tigers' game against Boston College. Hamlin was a huge reason former Yellow Jackets star (and current Detroit Lion) wideout Calvin Johnson had no success during last year's Clemson-Georgia Tech game.

So far, Hamlin has a total of 119 tackles and four interceptions in this first half of his career; at this rate, he will most likely go down as one of the best defensive backs in Clemson history by the end of his senior season. Currently, Hamlin ranks ninth in school history in interception return yards with 132, and he has two full seasons to go. With freshman co-starter DeAndre McDaniel at the CAT position (who had an excellent spring game) and Hamlin, along with Sadat Chambers backing them up, there will be plenty of competition and incentive for Hamlin to bring his 'A' game.

The Thorpe Award's candidate list will narrow down to 10 semifinalists on Nov. 5, then down to three a pair of weeks later. The winner will be announced Dec. 6 on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, and the presentation will take place Feb. 12.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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