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NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma safety Quinton Carter has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award. The honor is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football.
 
Carter, a senior from Las Vegas, Nev., led OU last season with four interceptions and also ranked No. 2 on the team with 88 tackles.
 
The 6-1, 193-pounder is also a nominee for the American Football Coaches' Association Good Works Team, which recognizes public service.
 
The Thorpe Award is named after one of history's greatest all-around athletes, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as "The Legend," Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
 
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is determined by analysis of the pre-season All-American teams listed in at least six pre-season college football annual magazines. Four points are awarded for first team, three points for second team, two points for third and one point for honorable mentions. This procedure determines approximately 30-40 players on the pre-season watch list. This list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses.
 

OU Thorpe Award Winners | OU Football Award Winners | OU History & Tradition

A screening committee of Jim Thorpe Association members follows these players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The committee meets on the first Monday in November to narrow the field to 10 or 12 semi-finalists.
 
The committee meets again on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select the three finalists. The names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner. The three finalists are invited to the ESPN College Football Awards Show, and the winner is announced during the show.
 
Formal presentation of the Jim Thorpe Award takes place at ceremonies in Oklahoma City on the first Tuesday in February following the national signing date for college football recruits.