The 2024 Jim Thorpe Award has dwindled down the possible winners to 15 deserving athletes as the committee has announced the semifinalists for this season’s top defensive back. Inside that illustrious group, however, is a player who had long since flown under the radar this season.
Terrence Spence is flying under the radar no more.
2024 Jim Thorpe Semifinalists Announced
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association released the semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday, signifying the 15 deserving athletes who are now in consideration for the year-end award.
Among these 15 semifinalists, one stands out:
- Jahdae Barron, Texas, Sr.
- Jalen Catalon, UNLV, Sr.
- Tacario Davis, Arizona, Jr.
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State, So.
- Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, Jr.
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, Jr.
- Will Johnson, Michigan, Jr.
- Rayuan Lane III, Navy, Sr.
- Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, So.
- Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon, Sr.
- Xavier Scott, Illinois, Jr.
- Terrence Spence, James Madison, Sr.
- Malaki Starks, Georgia, Jr.
- Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, Gr. Sr.
- Nohl Williams, California, Sr.
And that standout is James Madison Dukes CB Terrence Spence.
Spence stands as one of just three Group of Five athletes on the list, though Navy’s previous undefeated stature boosted the platform of Rayuan Lane III and UNLV’s Jalen Catalon is a two-time Power Four player, having played for Texas and Arkansas previously.
For Spence, the placement on the semifinalist is just the beginning. The senior from Ringwood, New Jersey, has made his place felt on the JMU defense in his first season with the program, coming to Harrisonburg with new head coach Bob Chesney.
But Spence is far more than just a Holy Cross transfer who followed his head coach. Spencer is a dominant coverage defender with lockdown abilities on the outside, ball skills that rival the best receivers, and an innate ability to find the ball in coverage or out of his coverage.
Spence has five interceptions already this season for JMU, more than his previous four seasons at Holy Cross combined.
And his resume stacks up right next to the other defenders on the list. We need to look no further than the advanced analytics and the play-by-play data that pits Spence’s coverage abilities against anyone in the country.
Depending on where you look, Spence has been a menace in coverage. No matter where you look, he’s held opposing quarterbacks to a sub-50% completion percentage in his coverage and he’s made a total of eight plays on the ball, routinely flying all over the field in the process.
At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, Spence has the size to guard any receiver in his coverage and the speed and athleticism to stick with any receiver that may be a bit twitchier or quicker than he is. He’s the complete package for JMU on the outside.
And he’s finally receiving the national attention he deserves.
Finalists for the Thorpe Award will be announced on November 26 while the award winner will be announced on the Hope Depot College Football Awards show on December 12.
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