Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Coby Bryant makes history by winning Jim Thorpe Award

The honors continue to roll in for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats football team as defensive back Coby Bryant won the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Thursday night.

The award, which is given to the best defensive back in the country, is the first ever for a Bearcats player.

"It's a blessing," Bryant said during the ESPN broadcast. "I just want to give thanks to God. I try to be a leader for this team and just lead the younger guys as well."

Bryant will be honored on Feb. 9 in Oklahoma City at the award banquet.

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The back-to-back first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection joined former UC kicker Jonathan Ruffin (Lou Groza in 2000) as the second Cincinnati player to claim a major national award. He is one of only two winners in Jim Thorpe Award history to come from non-Power 5 schools, with Colorado State's Greg Meyers as the other.

The fifth-year graduate student, who returned for one more season after being granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has 41 tackles, three forced fumbles, three interceptions (including one for a touchdown), 11 pass breakups (15th in the nation, fifth in the American Athletic Conference) and 14 passes defended (ninth in the nation, third in AAC).

"Coby is an extraordinary young man," Cincinnati cornerbacks coach Perry Eliano told The Enquirer. "He's a tremendous leader on and off the field. HIs success is no surprise to me or anyone in the building. The byproducts of his success is due to his unmatched determination to be the very best. The unseen hours and the unrequired work I've seen him put in is remarkable. He's an outstanding teammate and I've got nothing but love for him."

Bryant is one of the leaders of a Cincinnati defense that ranks No. 1 nationally in pass efficiency defense (100.47), fourth in opponent completion percentage (53.5%), third in interceptions (18), fifth in touchdown passes allowed (10) and No. 3 in passing yards allowed (168.3).

Bryant forms a one-two punch for UC at cornerback with Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner. The junior on Friday became the first player in Cincinnati football history to be named a Football Writers Association of America All-American twice.

More: Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner, Coby Bryant are Cincinnati's impenetrable cornerback tandem

Bryant has played in 62 career games for the Bearcats, making 49 starts. His 45 career passes defended rank No. 2 in Cincinnati history and his 10 career interceptions is the fifth most among active players.

"Just from 2017 to now, the journey has been unreal," Bryant said Sunday after Cincinnati found out it would be appearing in the College Football Playoff. "Just the progression each season has been unreal. But I'm just continuously trusting Coach Fickell and his plan and just staying humble and hungry."

Bryant joins the ever-growing list of standout football players from Cleveland's Glenville High School. The list includes Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, former Ohio State and NFL players Ted Ginn Jr., Donte Whitner, Cardale Jones, 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and a host of others, including Bryant's older brother, Christian.

"I actually talk to those guys a lot," Bryant said. "They encourage me throughout the season, all those guys who've played in the playoffs (CFP). They give me feedback to just go out there and just do what I do best, which is play football. It's definitely a blessing."

Bryant joined head coach Luke Fickell in winning a national award for the Bearcats' 13-0 season, which earned them a semifinal berth in the College Football Playoff against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 31 (3:30 p.m. on ESPN). Fickell was named The Home Depot National Coach of the Year.

Meet the Tide: Bearcats face No. 1 Alabama in semifinal

Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder, who's being touted as a potential first-round pick in next year's NFL draft, finished eighth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: College football awards: UC Bearcats Coby Bryant wins Jim Thorpe Award