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USC Safety Bishop Fitzgerald Named Semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
October 28, 2025 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald has been selected as a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, today (Oct. 28.). The Jim Thorpe Award is annually presented to the best defensive back in college football.
Fitzgerald, one of the nation's best defenders, leads the country in interceptions. His 5 interceptions are already the most by a Trojan since Calen Bullock in 2022, with 3 of them occurring within USC's red zone. He is tied for second on USC's defense with 40 total tackles (28 of them solo stops), including 1.5 for loss of 13 yards (with 1 sack for minus 11 yards) and 2 PBUs.
Fitzgerald was named to the AP Midseason All-American First Team, Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American First Team and The Athletic Midseason All-American Second Team. He is also a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Additionally, Fitzgerald was named the Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week after his performance against Michigan when he hauled in 2 picks (his second game of the season with 2 interceptions) to help USC win 31-13 in one of USC's biggest victories since moving to the Big Ten.
The semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award are selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Committee will reconvene on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The award finalists will be announced as part of a special presentation by ESPN on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, members of the NCFAA and sports writers and college football journalists throughout the country.
Fitzgerald, one of the nation's best defenders, leads the country in interceptions. His 5 interceptions are already the most by a Trojan since Calen Bullock in 2022, with 3 of them occurring within USC's red zone. He is tied for second on USC's defense with 40 total tackles (28 of them solo stops), including 1.5 for loss of 13 yards (with 1 sack for minus 11 yards) and 2 PBUs.
Fitzgerald was named to the AP Midseason All-American First Team, Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American First Team and The Athletic Midseason All-American Second Team. He is also a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Additionally, Fitzgerald was named the Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week after his performance against Michigan when he hauled in 2 picks (his second game of the season with 2 interceptions) to help USC win 31-13 in one of USC's biggest victories since moving to the Big Ten.
The semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award are selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Committee will reconvene on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The award finalists will be announced as part of a special presentation by ESPN on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, members of the NCFAA and sports writers and college football journalists throughout the country.
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