Georgia junior cornerback Asher Allen has been named one of 13 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award.

Allen is one of four players from the Southeastern Conference still vying for the award given to the nation’s best collegiate defensive back.

Allen, a 5-10, 190-pound native of Tucker, Ga., is fourth on the Bulldog defense with 34 tackles and leads the team with seven pass break-ups. He also has 3.5 tackles for loss and one recovered fumble nine games into the 2008 season.

The award, named after Oklahoma born Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, is presented annually to the defensive back who best exhibits performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The semifinalist list will be narrowed to three finalists Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast on Dec. 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City Feb. 11, 2009.

The 2008 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists:
Asher Allen, Jr., Georgia
Eric Berry, So., Tennessee
Emanuel Cook, Jr., So. Carolina
Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois
Trimane Goddard, Sr., N. Carolina
Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State
Trevard Lindley, Jr., Kentucky
Taylor Mays, Jr., USC
Mike Mickens, Sr., Cincinnati
D. J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt
William Moore, Sr., Missouri
Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest
Otis Wiley, Sr., Michigan State

- Georgia Sports Comunications