Thurman Is Top Prospect for Rookie of the Year
Monticello native Odell Thurman, a rookie middle linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals, is on a fast track to be named the National Football League’s Rookie of the Year.
Thurman’s principal competition is expected to come from Shawne Merriman, a defensive end with the San Diego Chargers. After 13 games, of which the Bengals have won 10, Thurman is pacing the team on defense with 112 tackles, 1.5 sacks a game, and enjoys a statistic in every defensive category except fumble recoveries.
The Bengals are the odds-on favorite to win the American Football Conference’s (AFC) North title this year.
“I don’t mean to brag or be boastful,” Thurman said, “but that’s what I do. We didn’t say anything different or do anything different when we were in the red zone (inside the 20-yard line). It’s what we usually say. Get the ball back for the offense.”
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Before signing a multi-million dollar contract with the Bengals this year, Thurman played football at Jasper County High School in Monticello, Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, and the University of Georgia in Athens.
Thurman burst on the national scene in 2003 in the Georgia-Auburn game in Athens, when he returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown in route to the Bulldogs’ 26-7 victory over the Tigers. For his efforts that day, Thurman was named CBS television’s player of the game.
At Georgia, Thurman was a semifinalist for the (Nick) Butkus Award, given annually to the top college linebacker in the nation. He was the consensus top inside linebacker in last year’s NFL draft. And, he is favorably compared with All-Pros Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens and Takeo Spikes of Washington County and Auburn fame.
WEEKLY UPDATE
Thurman is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. He suffered a neck stinger in the 41-17 win over Detroit on the road,Coach Marvin Lewis announced during a news conference this week.
Thurman has started 13 of 14 games and leads the team with 131 tackles. While trailing teammate Deltha O’Neal’s 10 interceptions for the season thus far, Thurman is tied at 5 with teammate Tory James.
If he doesn’t play or is limited, veteran Nate Webster could get in the game since suffering a knee cap injury last year. He did not practice Tuesday.
