While starting all eight games for Georgia (7-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference), Blue leads the team with 62 tackles and has registered 3.5 tackles for a loss. The former Banneker High School standout is also tied for a team-high two interceptions for a Bulldog defense that is ranked second in the SEC by allowing its opponents to average only 288.9 yards in total offense.
Greg Blue is one of three SEC players who are finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award. Carlos Rogers, who played for Auburn last season and now takes the field with the Washington Redskins, was the 2004 award winner.
The other 11 semi-finalists are: junior Darnell Bing USC, senior Darrel Brooks Arizona, senior Dion Byrum Ohio, junior Charles Gordon Kansas, senior Roman Harper Alabama, senior Michael Huff Texas, senior Tye Hill Clemson, junior LaRon Landry LSU, junior Brandon Merriweather Miami (FL), senior Jimmy Williams Virginia Tech and senior Alan Zemaitis Penn State.
Following an off-week last Saturday, Blue and the rest of the No. 9th-ranked Bulldogs host No. 15th-ranked Auburn at Sanford Stadium on Saturday night at 7:45 p.m. ET.