Miami Hurricanes' Bryce Fitzgerald Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist

MIAMI, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes star cornerback/safety Bryce Fitzgerald was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

It's the highest collegiate honor for a defensive back, which the recipient is based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.

Fitzgerald has been the Hurricanes' most consistent player in the secondary, especially with all the injuries to Xavier Lucas, Damari Brown, Romanas "OJ" Frederique Jr., and Ja'Boree Antoine. Given the circumstances, the Miami (Fla.) native has made the transition from safety to cornerback. Fitzgerald has attacked the challenge of moving positions and showing strides.

The 19-year-old has logged 18 total tackles, 12 solos and six assists, a tackle for loss, three passes broken up on four defended, and a game-sealing interception against the Florida State Seminoles. It came dramatically as the historic in-state rivalry matchup went to double overtime.

On a fourth-and-31 situation, a make-or-break moment, Seminoles fifth-year quarterback Ashton Daniels threw a Hail Mary to star wide receiver Duce Robinson, who is listed at 6-6 and 230 pounds, until Fitzgerald entered the mix on the play. He managed to jump over the lengthy playmaker and take the football away to seal a 43-35 win.

Although there is controversy over the play, Fitzgerald still gets credit. He battled through an upper-body injury, but stayed on the field long enough for a significant moment on prime time.

Last season, as a freshman, Fitzgerald was one of college football's most prolific ballhawks. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference with six interceptions, including two in the first round of the College Football Playoffs against Texas A&M. One of which came in the fourth quarter, at the goal line, to secure the win and advance to the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals. Also, he collected 16 total tackles, 10 solos and six assists, a tackle for loss, a sack, and two passes broken up on eight defended.

The last and only Hurricanes defensive back to win the Jim Thorpe Award was Bennie Blades in 1987, co-signing with Oklahoma Sooner's Rickey Dixon. The two-time All-American had five interceptions as a junior, 19 overall, including two pick-sixes, in three seasons with the Coral Gables program. Blades played a role in the Hurricanes' 1987 National Championship, which was the second of the current five.

Fitzgerald has three games to build a case before the Nov. 24th's three-finalist announcement, including this Saturday's matchup against UNC at Chapel Hill. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ABC.

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