Dell Pettus Named to Thorpe Award Watch List

TROY, Ala. – Troy safety Dell Pettus has been named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday; Pettus is one of just six underclassmen on the 49-player watch list. The Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive back.

Pettus, who was a Freshman All-America selection by Pro Football Focus last season, led all freshmen in the Sun Belt Conference with 63 tackles after taking over the starting duties at free safety in the third week of the season – he averaged 5.9 tackles in his 10 starts. A native of Harvest, Ala., Pettus ended the regular season ranked eighth nationally among all freshmen with his tackle total and was named to the All-Sun Belt Team as an honorable mention selection.

He recorded three or more tackles in the final 11 games of the season all while playing the second most snaps on defense with 668 over his 12 games. Pettus led the Trojans as opponents completed just 65.4 percent of passes targeted against him.

Troy 2020 Preseason Honors

Kaylon Geiger
Biletnikoff Award Watch List

Carlton Martial
Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team
Phil Steele Preseason All-America Fourth Team
Bednarik Award Watch List

Dell Pettus
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

B.J. Smith
Doak Walker Award Watch List

Troy University Athletics

Dell Pettus Named to Thorpe Award Watch List

Players Mentioned

Kaylon Geiger

Carlton Martial

Dell Pettus

B.J. Smith

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