Oklahoma State University Athletics
Martin Named to Jim Thorpe Watch List
July 12, 2011 | Cowboy Football
July 12, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma State's standout safety Markelle Martin has been named to the Jim Thorpe Award 2011 watch list, which includes 37 of the top defensive backs in college football, the Jim Thorpe Association announced Monday.
Martin, a senior from Wichita Falls, Texas, has earned a reputation as one of the biggest hitters in the country and looks to be the leader of the secondary in his third year as a starter. He was voted as the defensive player of the game in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl, was an all-conference candidate and was the winner of OSU's Nate Fleming Award for his academic performance.
He finished the 2010 season with 55 tackles, led the team with 10 pass break-ups and tied for second on the team with three interceptions.
The Thorpe Award is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2011. The award, established in 1986, is named after Jim Thorpe, who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball and also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The winner of the award is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8, 2011, on ESPN.
2011 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami (FL), SS
Mark Barron, Alabama, SS
John Boyett, Oregon, FS
Brandon Boykin, Georgia, CB
Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB
Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB
Tony Dye, UCLA, CB
Matt Elam, Florida, SS
Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin, CB
Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma, CB
Donnie Fletcher, Boston College, CB
Blake Gideon, Texas, FS
Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, CB
Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, CB
Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech, CB
Delano Howell, Stanford, SS
Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State, SS
George Iloka, Boise State, FS
Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma, FS
Leonard Johnson, Iowa State, CB
Coryell Judie, Texas A&M, CB
Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB
Robert Lester, Alabama, FS
Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, SS
TJ McDonald, USC, FS
Chase Minnifield, Virginia, CB
Marco Nelson, Tulsa, FS
Brian Peters, Northwestern, FS
Greg Reid, Florida State, CB
Xavier Rhodes Florida State, CB
Josh Robinson, UCF, CB
Trenton Robinson, Michigan State, FS
Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, FS
Keith Tandy, West Virginia, CB
Kenny Tate, Maryland, FS
Tramain Thomas, Arkansas, FS
Prentiss Waggner, Tennessee, SS
