DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University senior cornerback Shawun Lurry (West Palm Beach, Fla./W.T. Dwyer HS) received his second watch list recognition in as many days Friday when he was one of 45 defensive backs named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List for 2017.  
 
It is the second consecutive season on the Thorpe Award Watch List for Lurry, who was a semifinalist for the award as a sophomore in 2015, when he led the nation in interceptions and collected first team All-America honors. On Thursday, Lurry was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, given to the nation's top defender, for the second time.
 
As a junior in 2016, Lurry made 38 tackles with 26 solo and 12 assisted tackles, despite missing two games due to injury. He led NIU in pass break-ups with 11 and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three, picking off passes versus Central Michigan (Oct. 15), Toledo (Nov. 9) and Eastern Michigan (Nov. 16).
 
Last season's stats only added to Lurry's outstanding career numbers. During the 2015 season, the Huskie intercepted nine passes to lead the FBS and land First Team All-America honors from both Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association of America.  
 
He enters his senior season with 12 career interceptions, four off the NIU career record, and needs 12 pass break-ups to break the NIU career mark in that category. He already holds the NIU mark for career and single season interception return yards.
 
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character, and is named after one of history's greatest all-around athletes, Jim Thorpe. The Thorpe Award winner is selected by a committee and coordinated by the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.  Lurry is one of three MAC defensive backs on the Thorpe Award Watch List, as he is joined by Amari Coleman of Central Michigan and Miami's Heath Harding.
 
With Lurry's addition to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch list in addition to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy recognition, four different NIU players have now been named to five Watch Lists this preseason. Junior center Luke Shively (Tipton, Ind./Tipton) was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, senior tight end Shane Wimann (Wisconsin Dells, Wis./Wisconsin Dells) was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List on Tuesday and offensive tackle Max Scharping earned a spot on the Outland Trophy Watch List Thursday.
 
Members of the National College Football Awards Association are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a two-week period this month.  Seven more awards will unveil their watch lists beginning next Monday, July 17.
 
The Huskies open the 2017 season at home against Boston College on Friday, Sept. 1 to kick off Labor Day Weekend. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network beginning at 8:30 p.m. (CT).
 
Order or renew NIU football season tickets now and get the best pricing for all six Huskie Stadium home football games in 2017. Season tickets start at just $49.75 for a single ticket or $199 for a Family Pack of four season tickets. To order season tickets, go online to NIUHuskies.com/tickets or call 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
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