Wyoming sophomore free safety Andrew Wingard has been named a semifinalist for the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award.

Wingard is one of 16 semifinalists selected from across the country. He leads the Mountain West and is eighth in the nation in average tackles per game at 10.7. Wingard also leads the conference and is No. 10 in the country in solo tackles, at 6.1 per game.

The Jim Thorpe Award has been given annually since it was established in 1986. It goes the nation’s top defensive back in college football.

Wingard is one of two semifinalists from the MW. The other is Air Force senior Weston Steelhammer.

The three finalists will be revealed Nov. 22. The winner will be announced on Dec. 8 as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.

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