Deon Figures

Bio

A consensus First Team All-American, Deon Figures took home the 1992 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. He twice led the team in pass deflections, posting 12 in 1991 and eight in 1992. He led the team with six interceptions in 1992, and he only allowed six completions in more than 400 man-coverage snaps during his prolific senior campaign. He also won the Jack Tatum Award and concluded his career with 176 tackles, five tackles for loss, 13 interceptions, 27 pass breakups (second-most all-time at CU by career's end), one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one blocked kick. The Buffs won three Big Eight Championships (1989, 1990, 1991) while Figures was in Boulder. He was named the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, and he was an All-Big Eight selection three times, earning unanimous First Team honors in 1992. Boasting exceptional speed, Figures was utilized by Colorado on punt returns his senior year, and he led the team in punt returns (42) and punt return yards (479) during his senior campaign. He still holds the CU record for most punt returns (10) and punt return yards (167) in a single game (vs. Kansas State in 1992). CU went 36-10-3 during Figures' time in Boulder and the Buffs claimed the 1990 national title with a 10-9 victory in the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame. Figures intercepted Irish quarterback Rick Mirer's pass on the final play of the game to secure the win and the national title with a 11-1-1 record. The Buffs went 8-3-1 in 1991, landing at No. 20 in the final polls, and 9-2-1 in 1992, finishing No. 13 in the polls.

Career Highlights

• 1992 All-Conference
• 1992 Conference Most Valuable Player
• 1992 Consensus All-America
• 1992 Thorpe Award Winner