Kansas State CB Nigel Malone On Jim Thorpe Watch List

Nigel Malone continues racking up the preseason accolades, as he was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List on Friday, given to the best DB in the nation, to go along with his spot on the watch lists for the Bednarik and Bronco Nagurski Awards (given to the nation's best defensive player).

Malone, a 5'10 185 senior, is a transfer from the City College of San Francisco. In 2011, his first season in Manhattan, he had 7 interceptions, 10 pass deflections and 58 total tackles.

He's the latest in a long line of junior college transfers that have thrived under Bill Snyder, as the legendary Wildcats coach has long made such players one of the cornerstones of his program.

Malone will have plenty of chances to prove he's worthy of the hype he's received in 2012, as the Big 12 has become a conference known for its emphasis on the passing game and the spread offense over the last decade.

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