TicketsOKLAHOMA CITY – Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant officially received the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday night at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
The award is given to the nation's top defensive back. Bryant was originally announced as the winner in December at the Home Depot College Football Awards.
Cincinnati football head coach Luke Fickell, defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, director of athletics John Cunningham and football chief of staff Greg Gillum were among several UC Athletics staff members, coaches and supporters of Bryant who attended the 35th annual banquet.
"This has always been a dream for me as a football player, especially as a defensive back," Bryant said. "To actually hear my name called, it was a surreal moment. I can't give enough thanks to the people that have been in my corner since day one. It's a blessing."
Bryant flew from Mobile, Ala., where he played in the Senior Bowl, to Oklahoma City for three days of events, culminating with Tuesday night's official presentation where Fickell introduced a player he said truly set the standard for the Cincinnati football program.
"You heard a little bit about his character and how he has grown up," Fickell said at a pre-banquet press conference. "The greatest thing I could say is he epitomizes what we want to be as a program. Every year you have to continue to establish that. Over five years, I would say there is no other person that has set the standard for what it is we want to be and what it is we want to get done.
"He was special for us and he is going to continue to be special."
Bryant served as a captain at Cincinnati in 2021, leading the team to the greatest season in school history as the Bearcats finished with a 13-1 record and advanced to the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Bryant led UC with 11 pass breakups and three interceptions as Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference for a second straight season.
He was named All-AAC first team for a second straight year and collected several All-America accolades, including first team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation.
A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Bryant played five years at Cincinnati and finished with 170 tackles and 35 pass breakups in his career to go along with 10 interceptions. He won 48 games during his five years with the Bearcats.
RESERVE YOUR 2022 SEASON TICKETS NOW
Current season ticket holders have until Feb. 28 to renew their tickets for 2022. The Bearcats Ticket Office is also accepting deposits for new football season tickets here. There are less than 2,000 deposits available.
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For all the latest information on Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The award is given to the nation's top defensive back. Bryant was originally announced as the winner in December at the Home Depot College Football Awards.
Cincinnati football head coach Luke Fickell, defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, director of athletics John Cunningham and football chief of staff Greg Gillum were among several UC Athletics staff members, coaches and supporters of Bryant who attended the 35th annual banquet.
"This has always been a dream for me as a football player, especially as a defensive back," Bryant said. "To actually hear my name called, it was a surreal moment. I can't give enough thanks to the people that have been in my corner since day one. It's a blessing."
Great leader.
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) February 9, 2022
Great teammate.
Even better person.@CobyBryant__7 officially accepted the 2021 @JimThorpeAward at last night's banquet in OKC.#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/5dEmSeqojr
Bryant flew from Mobile, Ala., where he played in the Senior Bowl, to Oklahoma City for three days of events, culminating with Tuesday night's official presentation where Fickell introduced a player he said truly set the standard for the Cincinnati football program.
"You heard a little bit about his character and how he has grown up," Fickell said at a pre-banquet press conference. "The greatest thing I could say is he epitomizes what we want to be as a program. Every year you have to continue to establish that. Over five years, I would say there is no other person that has set the standard for what it is we want to be and what it is we want to get done.
"He was special for us and he is going to continue to be special."
Bryant served as a captain at Cincinnati in 2021, leading the team to the greatest season in school history as the Bearcats finished with a 13-1 record and advanced to the College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Bryant led UC with 11 pass breakups and three interceptions as Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference for a second straight season.
He was named All-AAC first team for a second straight year and collected several All-America accolades, including first team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation.
A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Bryant played five years at Cincinnati and finished with 170 tackles and 35 pass breakups in his career to go along with 10 interceptions. He won 48 games during his five years with the Bearcats.
RESERVE YOUR 2022 SEASON TICKETS NOW
Current season ticket holders have until Feb. 28 to renew their tickets for 2022. The Bearcats Ticket Office is also accepting deposits for new football season tickets here. There are less than 2,000 deposits available.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati Athletics, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.