Official Site of the Ducks · Oct 25, 2021
McKinley III Named Thorpe Award Semifinalist
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oregon safety Verone McKinley III has been selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Monday morning.
Established in 1986, the Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.
McKinley III is the eighth player in program history to be named a Thorpe Award semifinalist, and first since Jevon Holland in 2019. Ifo Ekpre Olomu – a semifinalist in 2012, 2013 and 2014 – is the lone Duck ever to be selected as a finalist (2014) for the prestigious award.
