Most Likely to succeed? Terps DB lands on another preseason watch list

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Maryland's Will Likely is getting a lot of attention this preseason.

With his inclusion on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award on Monday, Likely has now seen his name on four different preseason award watch lists.

The Terps defensive back/return man was also named to watch lists for the Paul Hornung, Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards.

Last season, Likely ranked fourth on the Terps with 83 tackles. He also recorded four tackles for loss, a sack and a whopping six interceptions, two of which were taken back for touchdowns. His six picks led the conference.

[MORE BIG TEN: Terps' Brad Craddock looks for repeat as Groza, Guy watch lists released]

As a return man, he scored a pair of touchdowns, one via the kick and one via the punt. He posted 891 return yards on kick returns, punt returns and interception returns and had the best kick-return average in the Big Ten.

Joining Likely on the Thorpe Award watch list were two other Big Ten defensive backs: Ohio State's Vonn Bell and Wisconsin's Michael Caputo.

The Thorpe Award is handed out annually to the nation's best defensive back. A Big Ten player won just two years ago, when Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard took home the honor. Six Big Ten players have won the award since it's been handed out, beginning in 1986.

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