Desmond King wins Jim Thorpe Award for nation’s top defensive back

ATLANTA — Iowa cornerback Desmond King is the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, presented anually to the best defensive back in college football.

The award, voted on by a panel of 50 sportswriters, sportscasters, former players and coaches, was announced as part of ESPN's college football awards show Thursday night in Atlanta.

King, a junior, tied the school record with a Big Ten-leading eight interceptions during the Hawkeyes' 12-0 regular season. King was third in the Big Ten with 20 pass breakups and fifth on the team with 67 tackles (fourth in solo tackles with 43).

Why did teams keep throwing his way?

'I honestly don't know,' King said on ESPN. 'If they keep doing it, they're going to keep getting intercepted.'

He is a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and has started 37 games, with a streak of 36 ending in the season finale against Nebraska because of a minor team violation (late for a meeting).

'I believe this year I improved by watching more film, being more serious and helping out as a leader on defense,' King said.

King also earned the Big Ten's defensive back of the year award and was a finalist for the Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the year (won by Alabama running back Derrick Henry). He was a first-team all-Big Ten selection on the coaches and media ballots, coming in as the lone unanimous pick on the media side.

'Winning the Thorpe Award is a great honor for Desmond, and a tribute to the hard work he put in before and during the season,' Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said in a release. 'The honor is a reflection on how well our guys played as a team this season. We received outstanding play from our defense, offense, and special teams. Desmond played a key role for our defense and served as a catalyst for our special teams as well.'

Duke senior Jeremy Cash and Florida junior Vernon Hargreaves III were the other finalists.

Offensive guard Joshua Garnett of Stanford, who Iowa will face in the Rose Bowl, won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman.