Oklahoma City—The Jim Thorpe Award 2016 watch list announced today includes 39 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing ten conferences, and from the MAC five students are included -- Tony Annese (Central Michigan), Shawun Lurry (Northern Illinois), Demetrius Monday (Kent State), DeJuan Rogers (Toledo) and Boise Ross (Buffalo). The five MAC representatives are tied with the SEC (5) for second most selections of any FBS Conference trailing only the PAC 12 (6).
Annese, a native of Hartland, Mich., ranked second on the Chippewas last season with 84 tackles and added two interceptions.