CLEMSON – Avieon Terrell is, to put it lightly, in good company.

The junior cornerback was named a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist Tuesday, putting the Atlanta, Ga., native among the top 15 defensive backs in the nation through the 2025 college football season.

Terrell joins a list that includes Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Texas defensive back Michael Taafe, and a dozen others recognized for “outstanding performances” through the season’s first nine weeks. 

According to the Jim Thorpe Association, “The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.”

Clemson’s most recent Thorpe Award semifinalist was safety Tanner Muse in 2019, who later became a third-round NFL Draft pick in 2020 and had a four-year professional career. Terrell is the first Clemson cornerback selected as a semifinalist since Cordrea Tankersley, another future NFL player and national champion, in 2016. 

Through seven games, Terrell has been a bright spot for the Tigers’ (3-4, 2-3 ACC) secondary. He is currently the only player in the nation responsible for at least seven passes defended and three forced fumbles. He has also notched a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 28 total tackles.

When asked on Wednesday about being named a Thorpe semifinalist, Terrell’s answer was characteristically straightforward. 

“I feel blessed,” he said. “It’s a good feeling, but more work to be done.”

For the younger brother of All-Pro Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, that “work” refers to elevating his performance throughout the next five weekends of guaranteed Tiger football. 

“I feel like I can prove more, so I really just want to do more,” he said.

As the Tigers’ leader in forced fumbles– making up over 60% of the team’s total– Terrell feels his knack for dislodging the football is instinctive.

“If I see somebody lacking with that ball, I’m going to come get it if they ain’t paying attention,” he said. “It’s natural.”

After forcing a fumble, Terrell’s mindset mirrors his approach to receiving the semifinal honor: stay humble and move on.

“I’m just celebrating with my teammates and then, ‘All right, next play,’” he said. “The game ain’t over. So I got to go back out there and play. Can’t just be having that one play on my mind the whole game.”

While Terrell is not focused on receiving an award, fixated on one play, or thinking about the past, he is prioritizing the Tigers’ next game against the Duke Blue Devils (4-3, 3-1 ACC) this Saturday.

“(We will) bring back that energy to Death Valley,” Terrell said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do, and I feel like this is going to be the week where we bring back that energy.”

Kickoff is set for noon at Memorial Stadium as the Tigers look to pick up their first win over a Power 4 opponent at home in over a year, with their first Thorpe Award semifinalist in over five years. Coverage will be shown on ACC Network.