FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Arkansas secondary has been called one of the best units in the country by several preseason publications.

The Jim Thorpe Association screening committee agrees, naming three Razorbacks to its list of 36 players on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award. The award goes to the nation's top defensive back.

Junior free safety Ken Hamlin, junior cornerback Lawrence Richardson and sophomore cornerback Ahmad Carroll make Arkansas the only school with three players named to the list.

Hamlin led all Southeast Conference defensive backs with 118 tackles in 2001. He has also been named to the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Year award list.

Richardson led the conference with a school record 20 pass deflections and scored touchdowns on an interception and kickoff return.

Carroll recorded 42 tackles and 13 pass deflections as a freshman.

Other Razorbacks named to preseason award watch lists include: punter Richie Butler for the Ray Guy Award, offensive tackle Shawn Andrews for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy and running back Fred Talley for the Doak Walker Award.