RENO, Nev. - Nevada safety Bentlee Sanders garnered more national recognition Monday, being named a semifinalist for the 2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Sanders, one of the top ballhawks in college football this season, is one of 12 semifinalists for the honor, given annually to the best defensive back in college football. On the year, Sanders is tied for the national lead with five interceptions, and is tied for second with three forced fumbles.

Along with his five interceptions, Sanders leads the Wolf Pack defense in tackles (51) and forced fumbles (three). Nevada's defense ranks ninth in the country with 16 total takeaways, eight of which have been directly caused by Sanders (five INTs, three forced fumbles which have all been recovered by Nevada). Additionally, behind Sanders' five picks, Nevada ranks 10th nationally with 10 interceptions.

This past Saturday night against San Diego State, Sanders paced the Pack defense, leading the way with nine tackles (eight solo) along with his third tackle-for-loss on the year. In the second half, he once again created a takeaway, stripping an Aztec ball carrier and giving the Pack excellent field position as linebacker Naki Mateialona came up with the loose ball.

The semifinalist list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be whittled down to three finalists Nov. 29, and announced on ESPN. The winner of the 2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be announced Dec. 8, live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.

Sanders and the Pack close the month of October this Saturday, visiting San José State for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on CBS Sports Network.

2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Bentlee Sanders, Nevada
Trevon Flowers, Tennessee
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Erick Hallett II, Pittsburgh
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Clark Phillips III, Utah
Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Christopher Smith, Georgia
Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois