Alabama safety Xavier McKinney has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.

The junior safety is among 14 semifinalists for the award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football, it was announced Monday. The award is based on “performance on the field, athletic ability and character.”

McKinney leads the Crimson Tide defense with 53 tackles through seven games. The Roswell, Ga., native has also recorded 1.0 tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup and one interception in his third season in Tuscaloosa.

“He means a lot,” cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. “He’s an alpha dog on the team. Whenever he steps his game up, you can tell the whole defense steps their game up. He’s a special player -- not only his play but when he talks on the field, you know it brings other guys to step up their play, as well. He’s always been that alpha dog type of dude. He wants the team to shine.

“Just not off of his success, but as a whole team to contribute together as a whole unit.”

This year’s list of semifinalists includes 14 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing seven conferences and two independents. The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee. However, this list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons can be recognized as one of the three finalists.

Semifinalists for the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award

Luq Barcoo, San Diego State

Essang Bassey, Wake Forest

Douglas Coleman III, Texas Tech

Grant Delpit, LSU

Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame

AJ Green, Oklahoma State

CJ Henderson, Florida

Jevon Holland, Oregon

Xavier McKinney, Alabama

Tanner Muse, Clemson

Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State

JR Reed, Georgia

Elijah Riley, Army

Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech

The award recipient is selected by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts members of the NCFAA, an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Jim Thorpe Award recipients and sportswriters and college football journalists throughout the country.

The 2019 Jim Thorpe Award winner will be selected from the three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards and broadcasted live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 12. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020.

Alabama has had two Jim Thorpe Award winners in Antonio Langham (1993) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017).

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).