Aqib Talib Named NFL Alumni's Top Defensive Back

Feb. 10, 2011

Former Kansas football All-American Aqib Talib was named the National Football League Defensive Back of the Year by the NFL Alumni at a banquet in conjunction with the Super Bowl.

The NFL Alumni have held an annual awards dinner since 1982. NFL alumni vote for candidates at their original positions. Talib beat out other finalists Asante Samuel of Philadelphia and Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh.

This year Talib recorded six interceptions a figure which tied for fifth in the NFL. He also registered 40 tackles to rank eighth among Tampa Bay players. Talib missed the final three games of the season due to a torn flexor tendon in his hip.

In three seasons with the Buccaneers, Talib has played 41 games, starting all 26 he played in the last two years. He has made 15 interceptions while recording 127 total tackles.

Talib was an All-America selection as a junior in his final season at Kansas in 2007. That year he was a Jack Tatum Award winner, a Bronko Nagurski finalist, a Jim Thorpe semifinalist, a Walter Camp watch list selection and the FedEx Orange Bowl MVP. He was a first-round draft pick by Tampa Bay after declaring early for the NFL draft.

He led the nation in passes defended as a sophomore with 28 and finished his career with 13 interceptions to rank second in school history.