Kansas Football Player Aqib Talib Named "Player to Watch" for Walter Camp Player of the Year Award

Nov. 13, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Junior cornerback Aqib Talib has been named one of 15 “Players to Watch” for the 2007 Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year Award it was announced on Tuesday. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Talib is the only defensive back on the list and is joined by <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel as the only Big 12 athletes on the list.

The Walter Camp Player of the Year award, the fourth-oldest individual college football award in the nation, will reduce the list to five finalists on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

The player of the year recipient is voted on by the 119 Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors and will be announced live on ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, Dec. 6.

Talib, who has helped Kansas to an undefeated record through 10 games this season, is also a Jim Thorpe Award (nation’s best defensive back) semifinalist; a member of the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation’s best defender) watch list as well as a member of several preseason and mid-season All-America teams.

The 6-2, Richardson, Texas product, is tied for the team lead with four interceptions, including one he returned 100 yards for a touchdown. He leads the Big 12 with 11 pass breakups and 15 passes defended (pass breakups plus interceptions).

Talib and the third-ranked Jayhawks will play host to IowaState at Memorial Stadium Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in a game that will be televised on ABC.