IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa defensive back Tyler Sash has been named a semi-finalist for The Jim Thorpe Award. The Award's screening committee has announced 12 semi-finalists for the honor given annually to the nation's best college defensive back.

Sash, a 6-1, 210-pounder, is a sophomore strong safety from Oskaloosa, IA. He's got 64 tackles in nine games this season. He has intercepted six passes with 203 return yards this year. He's also forced two fumbles and has 5.5 tackles for loss. He has 11 career interceptions. His 350 career interception return yards are an Iowa record.  

This semi-final list will be narrowed to three finalists on November 23rd. Those finalists will be invited to the nationally televised Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on December 10.  The winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on February 9, 2010. 

The 2009 award marks the 24th presentation of the trophy, first won in 1986 by Baylor's Thomas Everett.  Last year's winner was Ohio State University's Malcolm Jenkins, now playing for the New Orleans Saints.