The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced Monday that Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick has been named as one of 49 players on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Kendrick had a very good first season at cornerback. In his first year as a starter, the former wide receiver was a second-team All-ACC selection and finished seventh on the team with 51 tackles. He had three tackles for loss, six passes broken up and had two interceptions, including a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown. The coaches believe Kendrick is a future star in the ACC and he is nowhere near reaching his ceiling.