Top Award Within Reach Of Bulldogs' Star - KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News Source

Fresno State football star Phillip Thomas now has a one in three chance of winning the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award.

The senior safety from Bakersfield is one of three finalists in all of college football for the award that goes to the best defensive back each year.

The other finalists are Alabama's Dee Milliner and Mississippi State's Johnthan Banks. The winner of the Thorpe Award will be announced on December 6th in Florida.

Thomas leads the nation in just about every category for defensive backs, including eight interceptions, three of those returned for touchdowns, 10 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks, and nine total takeaways.

Thomas and the Bulldogs close out the regular season at home against Air Force Saturday afternoon, needing a win to clinch at least a share of the Mountain West Conference championship.