Iowa cornerback King on third preseason award watch list

It stands to reason that the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner would be placed on the "watch list" to repeat that feat.

It became official Monday when Iowa's Desmond King was named one of 39 players to watch for the Thorpe award, given to the best defensive back in college football. King, a senior cornerback, won the award last year.

King tied the Iowa single-season record and ranked second in the country with eight interceptions, while recording 72 tackles and a team-high 13 pass breakups. He also handled the majority of punt returns and kickoff returns last season, averaging 14.2 yards on 17 punt returns and 24.4 yards on 29 kickoff returns.

The Detroit native was named a consensus All-American and a recipient of the Jack Tatum Award in 2015. In addition, King was named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

Last week, King was named to the Bednarik Award watch list and the Nagurski Trophy watch list.

The Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at the College Football Awards on Dec. 8.