Orlando, FL -- (Sports Network) - Arizona's Antoine Cason won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back.

Cason finished the season with 71 tackles, including 56 solo, in 12 games. He picked off five passes, returning two for touchdowns, broke up 14 more, forced a pair of fumbles and added one sack.

The other finalists for the award were Jamie Silva of Boston College and Craig Steltz of LSU.

Silva leads Boston College with 115 total tackles, including 75 solo, in 13 games. He has also notched six interceptions, forced a pair of fumbles and returned one 51 yards for a touchdown in the ACC Championship Game.

Steltz leads LSU with 97 tackles, including 66 solo, with five tackles for a loss. He has added six interceptions, three forced fumbles and one sack for the Tigers, who will play in the BCS Championship Game.

Texas' Aaron Ross won last year's Thorpe Award.