Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gilbert Finishes as Thorpe Award Finalist
December 12, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 12, 2013
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Oklahoma State senior cornerback Justin Gilbert was recognized tonight as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
Gilbert was one of three finalists for the award, given annually to the most outstanding defensive back in college football, along with Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State and Lamarcus Joyner of Florida State. Dennard was honored as the winner.
The recognition as a finalist for the award is one of many for Gilbert this season, including honors as a first-team Walter Camp All-American, First-Team All-Big 12 Coaches selection and first-team All-Big 12 Associated Press selection.
Oklahoma State athletes have been a common sight at the College Football Awards Show in recent years, with four major national award winners since 2008. Punter Matt Fodge won the Ray Guy Award in 2008; kicker Dan Bailey won the Lou Groza Award in 2010; and receiver Justin Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award in 2010 and 2011.
Gilbert, a senior cornerback, has six interceptions this season, a mark that leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally. He has two pick-sixes on the year, coming at Iowa State and at Texas. His 11 career interceptions rank him 14th among all active players and his 27 career pass break-ups are the most for any Cowboy.
Additionally, he has three non-offensive touchdowns this year, including a 31-yard interception return at Iowa State, a 100-yard kickoff return against Kansas and a 43-yard interception return at Texas. He has eight non-offensive touchdowns in his career. The kickoff return against Kansas earned him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
A native of Huntsville, Texas, Gilbert leads all active players with six kickoff return touchdowns in his career. He is the Big 12 all-time leader in that category and is just one kickoff return touchdown shy of the NCAA career record of seven, held jointly by Clemson's C.J. Spiller (2006-09) and Houston's Tyron Carrier (2008-11). He also leads the Big 12 and ranks 17th nationally by averaging 26.6 yards per kickoff return.
