TCU's Mark Walker Named to Thorpe Watch List

Mark Walker

The leading candidates for the 2004 Jim Thorpe Award have been announced in a pre-season "watch list" released by the Jim Thorpe Association.TCU senior cornerback Mark Walker is one of 29 players mentioned on the list.

The Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best college defensive back, is one of college football's most sought after and prestigious awards. It is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as "The Legend", Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists the first Monday in November and then to three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. The winner will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, telecast from Disney World on December 9. The official presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City on February 8.

The watch list is derived through a point system based on All-American teams and Honorable Mentions published in at least six pre-season football magazines. A candidate must be listed as high as third-team All-American in at least one publication or as a fourth team or honorable mention in at least three of these publications. This list is not final. Players not on the list who have exceptional seasons may be added at a later date.

JIM THORPE AWARD 2004 PRE-SEASON "WATCH LIST"

Jaxson Appel, Jr Texas A&M S 5-10 196

Oshiomoghe Atogwe, Sr Stanford S 6-0 205

Darnell Bing, So USC S 6-2 220

Jamal Brimmer, Sr UNLV S 6-1 215

Brandon Browner, So Oregon St CB 6-4 202

Josh Bullocks, Jr Nebraska S 6-2 205

James Butler, Sr Georgia Tech S 6-0 205

Thomas Davis, Jr Georgia S 6-1 220

Dustin Fox, Sr Ohio St CB 6-0 190

Aaron Francisco, Sr BYU S 6-2 206

Adam Jones, Jr W. Virginia CB 5-10 190

Marlin Jackson, Sr Michigan CB 6-1 199

Eric King, Sr Wake Forest CB 5-10 185

Jim Leonhard, Sr Wisconsin S 5-8 183

Donnie McClesky, Jr California S 5-10 180

Andre Maddox, Sr N.C. State S 6-1 200

Mitch Meeuwsen, Sr Oregon St S 6-3 211

Justin Miller, Jr Clemson CB 5-11 200

Donte Nicholson, Sr Oklahoma S 6-2 210

Antonio Perkins, Sr Oklahoma CB 6-0 188

Brodney Pool, Jr Oklahoma S 6-3 198

Antrel Rolle, Sr Miami CB 6-1 200

Carlos Rogers, Sr Auburn CB 6-1 194

Ernest Shazor, Sr Michigan S 6-4 226

Mark Walker, Sr TCU CB 5-10 200

Corey Webster, Sr LSU CB 6-0 2-1

Darrent Williams, Sr Oklahoma St CB 5-9 175

Jimmy Williams, Jr Virginia Tech CB 6-3 213

Alan Zemaitis, Jr Penn St. CB 6-2 194