Cisco Makes Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

OKLAHOMA CITY – Syracuse sophomore safety Andre Cisco has been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Monday, July 22. The award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football.

Monday's watch list nod is Cisco's second in the past week. Last Monday, he and teammate Alton Robinson were picked as preseason candidates for the 2019 Bednarik Award, which goes to the national defensive player of the year.

Cisco tied for the national lead with seven interceptions last season on his way to second-team All-America honors. The 2018 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, Cisco set the program record for most passes defended by a true freshman (18) and ranked fourth on the team with 60 tackles (46 solo). He has been voted a 2019 preseason All-American by most publications. He is also one of the 42 candidates for this year's Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Jim Thorpe Award candidates are judged by their performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award recipient is selected by the Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which includes members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Jim Thorpe Award winners, and sportswriters and college football journalists throughout the country.

This year's winner will be selected from three finalists and announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec.12 on ESPN. The Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet is set for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 in Oklahoma City.

The Jim Thorpe Award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

For more information on the Jim Thorpe Award and to view a list of past winners, visit: https://www.paycom.com/jim-thorpe-award.

The Orange kick off the 2019 campaign at Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 31 and open their home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.

Season and single-game tickets are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.

Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.

Syracuse Players on 2019 NCFAA Watch Lists
Bednarik Award: Andre Cisco, Alton Robinson
Doak Walker Award: Moe Neal
Biletnikoff Award: Sean Riley
Rimington Trophy: Airon Servais
Jim Thorpe Award: Andre Cisco

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Andre Cisco

Moe Neal

Sean Riley

Alton Robinson

Airon Servais

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