November 4, 2009

Kansas safety Darrell Stuckey was named a Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist it was announced this week. The award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. The committee announced 12 semifinalists, which will be narrowed to three finalists on Nov. 23.

Stuckey, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., has been a fixture in the Jayhawk secondary starting a team-best 38 consecutive games.

This year Stuckey has recorded 56 tackles in eight games, one stop shy of leading the team. Three times this year he made double-figure tackles in a game with 14 vs. Iowa State, 12 at Colorado and 11 vs. Duke.

Last week he had two tackles, including his first career sack at Texas Tech. Earlier this season he recorded the eighth interception of his career, picking off a pass at Colorado.

Already this season Stuckey was named as one of 11 players on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his on and off the field contributions. He is also on watch lists for the Nagurski, Bednarik, Lott and Lowe’s Senior CLASS Awards.

Last year Stuckey was an All-Big 12 First Team selection, a Big 12 Community of Champions member and the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Missouri. He also earned KU award for his work in the weight room, shared the team’s leadership award and was the Jayhawks’ special teams player of the year.

2009 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists

Javier Arenas, Sr., Alabama
Eric Berry, Jr., Tennessee
Barry Church, Sr., Toledo
Perrish Cox, Sr., Oklahoma State
Joe Haden, Jr., Florida
Brandon Harris, So., Miami (FL)
Taylor Mays, Sr., USC
Tyler Sash, So., Iowa
Darrell Stuckey, Sr., Kansas
Earl Thomas, So., Texas
Alterraun Verner, Sr., UCLA
Kyle Wilson, Sr., Boise State