Rugamba, Weatherford Named to Jim Thorpe Watch List
7/20/2020 12:57:00 PM | Football
Emmanual Rugamba and Sterling Weatherford, two members of the Miami University football team, were two of 49 players named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, given annually to the nation's top defensive back. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players.
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Rugamba earned third team All-MAC in 2019 after recording 85 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception and eight pass breakups. The senior had 11 tackles in the win over Central Michigan in the MAC Championship Game, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors. He also had nine stops and his first career interception at Western Michigan.
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Weatherford was second on the team with 98 tackles last year and had two interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. One of those forced fumbles came on a crucial play in a win over Ohio and he added seven tackles and three pass breakups in the MAC Championship Game.
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A screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, monitor the watch list players and narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists on the first Monday of November. This committee reconvenes on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
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All three finalists are invited and required to attend The Home Depot College Football Awards Show Presented by Gildan, broadcast live on ESPN from Atlanta, Georgia, where the winner is announced. Other recognized National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award.
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The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
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Rugamba earned third team All-MAC in 2019 after recording 85 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception and eight pass breakups. The senior had 11 tackles in the win over Central Michigan in the MAC Championship Game, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors. He also had nine stops and his first career interception at Western Michigan.
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Weatherford was second on the team with 98 tackles last year and had two interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. One of those forced fumbles came on a crucial play in a win over Ohio and he added seven tackles and three pass breakups in the MAC Championship Game.
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A screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, monitor the watch list players and narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists on the first Monday of November. This committee reconvenes on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
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All three finalists are invited and required to attend The Home Depot College Football Awards Show Presented by Gildan, broadcast live on ESPN from Atlanta, Georgia, where the winner is announced. Other recognized National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award.
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The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Back
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