Notre Dame Football: Alohi Gilman named to Thorpe Award watch list

On Monday, Notre Dame football safety Alohi Gilman was placed on the preseason watch list for the Thorpe Award, which goes to college football’s best defensive back.

Alohi Gilman was a godsend for the Notre Dame football team last season.

After starting his career at the Naval Academy, Gilman transferred to Notre Dame and immediately made an impact. Though he was not granted a waiver which would have allowed him to play for the Irish right away, Gilman turned heads on the Irish scout team during his first year on campus. Gilman was so good going against Notre Dame’s first team offense that coaches often had to tell him to tone it down. It was clear that Gilman took his job seriously.

Last year, though, Gilman got his opportunity under the bright lights of Notre Dame Stadium. He didn’t disappoint.

His great play a season ago was a big reason for the continuance of a resurgent Notre Dame defense from the season before. Gilman has gained recognition and has landed himself on the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to college football’s most outstanding defensive back.

Gilman has a lot going for him when it comes to winning the award: He has the history of success at Notre Dame, coupled with the fact that he will undoubtedly be one of the focal points on the defense of a team that will be near the College Football Playoff discussion. Gilman will have the backing and the exposure necessary to win the award, especially if the Irish reach their expectations this season.

In other related news, I wrote last month that Notre Dame could have as many as three players who could find themselves on the watch list, and it’s a little surprising that neither Jalen Elliot nor Troy Pride, Jr. made the preseason watch list.