USC Safety Talanoa Hufanga Named To 2020 Thorpe Award Watch List

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USC Safety Talanoa Hufanga Named To 2020 Thorpe Award Watch List

July 20, 2020 | Football

USC junior safety Talanoa Hufanga has been named to the Watch List for the 2020 Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association.

Hufanga was second on the Trojans in tackles in 2019 with 90, including 18 against UCLA (the most in a game by a Trojan since 2001). He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 deflections and 2 forced fumbles last fall. He has 41 career tackles.

He also has been named to the 2020 Bednarik Award Watch List (nation's top defensive player) and Lott IMPACT Trophy (nation's top defensive impact player).

USC has had 2 previous winners of the Thorpe Award: safety Mark Carrier in 1989 and cornerback Adoree' Jackson in 2016. Safeties Troy Polamalu (2002) and Taylor Mays (2008) were finalists for the honor.