Allen Named To Thorpe Award Watch List

ATHENS - Georgia junior defensive back Asher Allen has been named to 2008 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, according to an announcement this morning.

One of the 40 players on this preseason list will be named the nation¹s best back following the conclusion of the 2008 season. Allen is one of eight players from the Southeastern Conference on this year¹s list.

Allen, a native of Tucker, Ga., played in all 13 games in 2007, making 11. He finished the year with 64 total tackles, including 50 solo, and recorded two quarterback sacks. He also made three interceptions broke up five more passes. Two of his interceptions came in Georgia's 41-10 Allstate Sugar Bowl victory against No. 10 Hawai¹i, and was also the's leading tackler with nine stops. As a kick returner, Allen brought 28 kicks for a school-record 690 yards, an average of 24.6 yards per, with a season and career-long 82-yard return against Kentucky.

Allen, along with senior defensive tackle Jeff Owens, has already been named the 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List, which is given to the nation¹s top defensive player.

After narrowing the field down to 10 or 12 semifinalists on the first Monday November, the Jim Thorpe Award committee meets again on the Monday before to select the three finalists. The names of these finalists submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, and former players who vote to determine the winner. The three finalists are invited to the ESPN College Football Awards Show and the is announced during the show.

Formal presentation of the Jim Thorpe Award takes place at ceremonies in City on the first Tuesday in February following the national date for college football recruits.

The Bulldogs open the season against Georgia Southern at Sanford Stadium on Aug. 30. Kickoff is slated for 12:30 p.m.