Deone Bucannon named to Jim Thorpe watch list

WSU senior safety Deone Bucannon was named Friday to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's best defensive back. Bucannon is one of 50 players on the list.

Bucannon forced his way into a starting role as a true freshman and has proven to be one of the team's most dependable players over the past three years. Save for the occasional (sometimes very) late hit, Bucannon is a pretty intelligent player, generally in the right spots -- so much so that he's picked up nine interceptions in his career.

He's also a steady tackler, which unfortunately has been an important skill for a safety over the past three years; he led the team in tackles in two of those seasons, including a team-high 106 last season.

Those late hits are going to be something to keep an eye on this year, though: Pac-12 referees have been given the authority to eject players for personal fouls. No way that's going to impact any games, right?

Bucannon joins kicker Andrew Furney and punter Michael Bowlin, who earlier were named to the Lou Groza Award and Ray Guy Award watch lists.