OKLAHOMA CITY -- San Diego State senior Luq Barcoo has been named a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday. Barcoo is one of 14 semifinalists for the award, which goes out to the best defensive back in college football.
Barcoo has five interceptions on the season, which are tied for the second most in FBS. Barcoo is also tied for second in both interceptions per game (0.71) and passes defended per game (INT + PBU) (2.00). Besides the five interceptions, Barcoo has 29 tackles (22 solo), three tackles for loss and nine pass breakups.
Barcoo's best game came at Colorado State on Oct. 5, when he had three interceptions on consecutive snaps, the first time that has happened in FBS place since at least 2012 (and likely much longer). Barcoo became the first San Diego State player with three interceptions in a game since current Atlanta Falcon Damontae Kazee on Sept. 5, 2015 and also the first FBS player with an interception in three straight drives since Nevada's Dameon Baber did so on Nov. 5, 2015. The three interceptions are tied for the most in a FBS game this season.
For his career, Barcoo has six interceptions and is tied for sixth among the active FBS players in interceptions per game (0.33).
Semifinalists for the award, which is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character, are selected by a screening committee. However, this list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons can be recognized as one of the three finalists.
The award recipient is selected by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts members of the NCFAA, an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, and sportswriters and college football journalists throughout the country.
The 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from the three finalists released at a later date and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Presented by Gildan, which will be broadcast on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 12. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020.
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 only FBS team unbeaten on the road with at least four road wins, San Diego State (6-1, 3-1 MW) travels to UNLV (2-5, 0-3 MW) for a Saturday night game at 7:30 p.m. PT.
2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Luq Barcoo, San Diego State, Sr.
Essang Bassey, Wake Forest, Sr.
Douglas Coleman III, Texas Tech, Sr.
Grant Delpit, LSU, Jr.
Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame, Sr.
AJ Green, Oklahoma State, Sr.
CJ Henderson, Florida, Jr.
Jevon Holland, Oregon, So.
Xavier McKinney, Alabama, Jr.
Tanner Muse, Clemson, *Gr.
Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State, Jr.
JR Reed, Georgia, Sr.
Elijah Riley, Army, Sr.
Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
Luq Barcoo Named a Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
