Georgia junior safety Lewis Cine celebrates during a recent game. | Twitter
Georgia junior safety Lewis Cine celebrates during a recent game. | Twitter
Georgia junior safety Lewis Cine is among the dozen semifinalists vying for the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
A university-issued press release said that the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame made the announcement on Oct. 25.
Cine could be among the trio of finalists for the accolade given to the country’s best defensive back.
“Cine, a native of Cedar Hill, Texas, is one of two semifinalists from the Southeastern Conference,” the Bulldogs said in the release. “Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 23.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Cine started in top-ranked UGA’s first seven games of the season, recording 28 tackles – including one for a loss – as of Oct. 24, according to the release.
Not only is UGA the overall No. 1 program but it boasts the country’s best defense. The Bulldogs surrendered just a mere 6.6 points per contest, the release said.
Recruited out of Trinity Christian School, Cine is majoring in psychology and was a recipient of the Jack Davis Honorary Football Scholarship.
He played high school football in Massachusetts before his move to Texas.
As of this writing, UGA is 8-0 overall and 6-0 in SEC play after their annual road trip to Florida on Oct. 30, beating the Gators 34-7.
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