Stewart named to Thorpe Award watch list

Houston junior defensive back Trevon Stewart has been named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list announced Friday.
The Patterson native led the nation in 2013 with 10 takeaways, collecting a nation’s best and Houston single-season record six fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
Stewart was the fifth University of Houston student-athlete last week to be named to a national award watch list, joining junior receiver Deontay Greenberry and sophomore quarterback John O’Korn, who were named to the Maxwell Award watch list July 7; senior center Bryce Redman, who was placed on the Rimington Trophy watch list Tuesday; and senior linebacker Derrick Mathews, who was named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list Thursday.
Stewart, who has been named first-team preseason All-American Athletic Conference by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, shared Houston’s 2013 Wilson Whitley Defensive MVP honor with Mathews after finishing the season third on the team with 109 tackles.
Stewart had double-digit tackles in five straight games, including a season-best 13 tackles at the University of Central Florida, while also breaking up five passes and forcing fumbles vs. Memphis and Rutgers. Stewart’s six fumble recoveries placed him third on the University of Houston career chart for the statistical category.
The Jim Thorpe 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 Dec. 11 on ESPN.
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held Feb. 3, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Okla.