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Amani Oruwariye Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist

The senior cornerback is one of 14 players on the short list

NCAA Football: Appalachian State at Penn State Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Senior cornerback Amani Oruwariye was named a semifinalist today for the Jim Thorpe award, which is named annually to the nation’s best defensive back:

The Nittany Lion cornerback, second in the conference in passes defended, has been graded by some as a first-round talent. Oruwariye has come on strong his final season in the blue and white, starting the season by sealing an overtime win against Appalachian State with the game-clinching interception. He originally found his way to Happy Valley after committing to James Franklin at Vanderbilt.

No Penn State player has ever won the Jim Thorpe award, which was first presented in 1986. Last year, then-seniors Marcus Allen and Grant Haley were both semifinalists for the award.

Congratulations, Amani!