LSU's Peterson Among Thorpe Award Semifinalists

LSU's Patrick Peterson has been named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award, which goes to the top defensive back in college football, the screening committee for the award announced on Tuesday. Peterson, a junior cornerback from Pompano Beach, Fla., is one of two players from the Southeastern Conference who made the list, joining Alabama's Mark Barron. Peterson, who also leads the SEC in punt returns and ranks second in the league in kickoff returns, has started all eight games at cornerback for the Tigers with 20 tackles, two interceptions, one quarterback hurry and a blocked field goal.

The 2010 award marks the 25th presentation of the trophy, first won in 1986 by Baylor's Thomas Everett. Last year's winner was the University of Tennessee's Eric Berry, now playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.