Thomas on ‘Thorpe Watch’ list

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 | 9:57 a.m.

UNLV junior cornerback Kevin Thomas, the Mountain West Conference's preseason defensive player of the year, was one of 40 defensive backs in the nation selected to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List on Thursday.

Thomas was one of only three players from the MWC to be listed. BYU senior safety Jared Lee and Utah senior cornerback Andre Dyson were the others.

The Thorpe Award is given to the nation's top defensive back. Only one player from a current Mountain West school -- Greg Myers of Colorado State in 1996 -- has won the award, which began in 1986.

The 5-11, 180-pound Thomas set a school record for pass breakups in a season in 1999 with 24, which also topped the Mountain West Conference. He also already holds the school career record in that department with 31 pass breakups.

Finalists for the Thorpe Award will be invited to ESPN's College Football Awards Show.

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