Oklahoma City, Okla.----- San Jose State University sophomore safety Tre Jenkins is one of three players nationally honored by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award for his performance in games ending the week of November 7.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award honors the nation's best defensive back based on "performance, athletic ability, and character" and had been awarded annually since 1986. The award is named after Jim Thorpe, recognized by many as greatest all-around athlete of the 20th century.
Jenkins and Pitt freshman safety Brandon Hill were named honorable mention players for Week #9. Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon was named the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week.
In the Spartans' 28-17 win over San Diego State on November 6, Jenkins contributed a single-game best nine tackles, one tackle for loss, a quarterback sack, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass in the end zone for a touchback. One of his second-half assisted tackles came on a 4th-and-1 San Diego State running play at the San Jose State 20-yard line that resulted in no gain and a possession turnover to San Jose State.
For the season, Jenkins leads the undefeated Spartans at 3-0 with an interception in each of the last two games. He is third on the team with 21 tackles.
Earlier in the week, Jenkins was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week.
San Jose State is set to host UNLV (0-3, 0-3 Mountain West) in a conference contest November 14 in CEFCU Stadium. Game time is 7:30 p.m. (PST) with national television coverage by FS2.
