ATLANTA -- Georgia State safety Bobby Baker was named Monday to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to college football's top defensive back.
Baker, from Sherman Oaks, Calif., led the Sun Belt Conference last fall with three fumble recoveries (sixth in FBS) and was tied for fifth in the league with three interceptions. He made 76 tackles and was a key performer for a GSU defense that was the most improved unit in FBS in 2015.
Named to the Sun Belt All-Newcomer team, Baker had a remarkable performance in his first game in a GSU uniform with five takeaways - two interceptions and three fumble recoveries vs.