Iowa's Desmond King claims Thorpe Award as top defensive back

Iowa cornerback Desmond King won the Jim Thorpe Award on Thursday night as the top defensive back in college football.

King proved to be a fearsome matchup for opposing wide receivers this season, recording 67 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and finishing second in the FBS with eight interceptions. For the final month of the season, most opponents tried to avoid throwing King's way as much as possible.

Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and Duke safety Jeremy Cash were the other finalists for the award.

King becomes the first Hawkeye to ever capture the Thorpe, and follows in the footsteps of Gerod Holliman, who earned the honor last year at Louisville.