BOCA RATON — Conference USA knows how dangerous Florida Atlantic star safety Jalen Young (Seminole Ridge) and cornerback Shelton Lewis are, but now the rest of the country will officially have an idea.
Both Lewis and Young, rising seniors who were named to the All-Conference USA first-team last season, were named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list on Monday. The award, named for the former Olympian and two-time All-American, is annually given to the nation’s best defensive back.
Lewis, 21, recorded a career-high four interceptions last season and emerged as one of the conference’s true lockdown cornerbacks after senior Raekwon Williams went down with a knee injury in October.