Holliman Wins Jim Thorpe Award for Nation’s Top Defensive Back

Gerod ‘Hot Rod’ Holliman won the Jim Thorpe Award for Nation’s Top Defensive Back Thursday Night in Orlando, FL during ESPN’s College Football Awar d Show.

Holliman is the 1st Louisville Cardinal to win the Thorpe Award.  Louisville Cornerback Coach Terrell Buckley won the Award in 1991.

Previous Winners

2013 Darqueze Dennard Michigan State
2012 Johnthan Banks Mississippi State
2011 Morris Claiborne LSU
2010 Patrick Peterson LSU
2009 Eric Berry Tennessee
2008 Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State
2007 Antoine Cason Arizona
2006 Aaron Ross Texas
2005 Michael Huff Texas
2004 Carlos Rogers Auburn
2003 Derrick Strait Oklahoma
2002 Terence Newman Kansas State
2001 Roy Williams Oklahoma
2000 Jamar Fletcher Wisconsin
1999 Tyrone Carter Minnesota
1998 Antoine Winfield Ohio State
1997 Charles Woodson Michigan
1996 Lawrence Wright Florida
1995 Greg Myers Colorado State
1994 Chris Hudson Colorado
1993 Antonio Langham Alabama
1992 Deon Figures Colorado
1991 Terrell Buckley Florida State
1990 Darryll Lewis Arizona
1989 Mark Carrier USC
1988 Deion Sanders Florida State
1987 (tie) Bennie Blades Miami (Fl)
1987 (tie) Rickey Dixon Oklahoma
1986 Thomas Everett Baylor

Holliman Named Walter Camp All-American

University of Louisville sophomore strong safety Gerod Holliman earned one of the most prestigious award in college football when he was recognized by one of the oldest All-American teams on Thursday.

Holliman was selected a first-team Walter Camp All-American after leading the Cardinals to a 9-3 overall record and a berth in the 2014 Belk Bowl on Dec. 30 in Charlotte, N.C. Holliman is the first UofL player to earn first team Walter Camp honors since defensive end Elvis Dumervil was a first-team selection in 2005. Former defensive end Marcus Smith was a second team honoree last season.

Holliman, who was also named a first team CBS All-American on Wednesday,  was named a first team All-ACC selection by the media and coaches this season.

A native of Miami, Fla., Holliman tied an NCAA record for interceptions in a season with 14, equaling the Al Worley’s total when he played at Washington in 1968. Starting nine games at strong safety, Holliman recorded interceptions in nine of 12 games and multiple interceptions in four contests. He tied a school record when he picked off three passes in a 38-19 win over Boston College on Nov. 8. In a 42-31 loss to No. 2 Florida State, Holliman picked off Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston twice.

In helping the Cardinals lead the nation in interceptions with 25, Holliman registered an interception in the season-opening game against Miami (Fla.) and had two picks versus Virginia and FIU. He returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in the win over the Panthers on the road. Individually, Holliman has more interceptions than 113 FBS schools.

Holliman also won the Jim Thorpe Award for the Top Defensive Back.

Holliman was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award for the National Defensive Player of the Year.

More All-America teams are expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.

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@UofLSheriff50. Louisville native, University of Louisville Business School Grad c/o 2004. Co-Founder of TheCrunchZone.com

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