When the 2003 season ended, Tennessee defensive back Jason Allen set a couple of individual goals.

Allen moved closer to one of those goals Tuesday when he was announced as one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's best college defensive back.

"I just feel that all my hard work is paying off," Allen said Tuesday. "It's something my parents always taught me, that hard work pays off."

The Jim Thorpe Award list will be narrowed to three finalists on Nov. 22 and the winner will be announced Dec. 9.

Allen won't be too concerned by the award during the next week or so.

Instead, he will focus on the stretch run of the season. Saturday's open date is a good place to start.

"I'm just going to rest my body, relax, and play the game of football from a mental standpoint," Allen said.

Allen, a junior from Muscle Shoals, Ala., suffered a sprained ankle during Saturday's 17-13 loss to Notre Dame. He wore a walking boot on his left foot Tuesday and didn't practice.

Allen downplayed the injury.

"I mean, there's nothing wrong with me," he said. "I could practice right now. I feel perfectly fine. I just need to rest my body in general. I need a little time off so that's what I'm doing right now."

Allen even joked about his non-participating status.

"I'm just practicing my Hollywood skills," he said. "I'm planning on going to Hollywood one day and doing a little acting. It's going to start right now while I'm in college."

Allen, who played cornerback his first two years at Tennessee, moved to free safety and has started there since the Sept. 18 Florida game.

Since making the move, Allen has posted double-figure tackles in six of eight games.

He leads the SEC in tackles with 93 — one reason he's up for the Jim Thorpe Award.

"I worked extremely hard during the off-season and during the season to be put in a position like this, and it's really a blessing to be in a position like this," Allen said.

Allen has earned some rest. Tennessee has played eight straight Saturdays since its Sept. 11 open date.

"It's probably the most games I've ever played without a break," Allen said. "But you've got to take the good with the bad. When the bye came, I guess it came kind of perfect.

"It gives us time to regroup, relax our bodies, and get ready for Vanderbilt (Nov. 20)."