Aug. 3, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri senior strong safety David Overstreet was named as one of the 33 leading pre-season candidates for the 2006 Jim Thorpe Award, as announced today by the Jim Thorpe Association. The award is given annually to the nation's best defensive back.

Overstreet, a native of Dallas, Texas, has received pre-season honorable mention All-American acclaim from multiple media outlets heading into the 2006 season, and was recently named to the pre-season All-Big 12 first team by league media.

In 2005, Overstreet blossomed into a leader of the Tiger defense, as he led the team with a career-high 100 tackles and five turnovers gained, including three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He earned 1st-Team All-Big 12 honors from one outlet for his efforts in '05, and was named his team's safety of the year.

Overstreet and his Tiger teammates report for fall camp tomorrow, Friday, August 4th, and will open camp with the first practice of the year the next afternoon as Mizzou prepares for its 2006 season opener against Murray State on September 2nd at Faurot Field (6 p.m.).

Season tickets and single-game tickets are available for purchase, and south end zone tickets are on special for $10 apiece for the Murray State game. For ticket information, please contact the Mizzou Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS in Columbia), or visit the official website of Mizzou Athletics at www.mutigers.com.

Be sure to stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for reports from fall camp, which runs from August 5-24 in Columbia.