LIVE from the the red carpet at the #CFBAwards with NCAA leader in INTS, Gerod Holliman pic.twitter.com/ziPFw5wJ4E
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) December 11, 2014
— Garrick McGee (@GarrickMcGee) December 12, 2014
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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