Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. This list includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing ten conferences and one independent university. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.

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Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List for 2026.

As the leader of the No. 1 defense in 2025, Ohio State University’s Caleb Downs was the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner. Hoschton, Georgia, native Downs was the third Thorpe Award recipient from the Buckeyes, joining winners Malcolm Jenkins (2008) and Antoine Winfield (1998). The Dallas Cowboys selected Downs with the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Thorpe Award’s 2026 preseason candidates are revealed alphabetically by last name with university, position and class year noted.

2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List

KJ Bolden, Georgia, Safety, Junior

Austin Brawley, New Mexico, Safety, Senior

Zabien Brown, Alabama, Cornerback, Junior

Mario Easterly, Old Dominion, Safety, Senior

Tre’Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State, Cornerback, Senior

Amare Ferrell, Indiana, Safety, Senior

Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon, Cornerback, Sophomore

Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami, Safety, Sophomore

Chance Gamble, Georgia Southern, Cornerback, Senior

Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana, Cornerback, Sophomore

Elijah Green, Tulsa, Cornerback, Junior

Brevin Hamblin, Utah State, Safety, Senior

Ashton Hampton, Clemson, Cornerback, Junior

Simeon Harris, Fresno State, Cornerback, Senior

Jyaire Hill, Michigan, Cornerback, Senior

Bray Hubbard, Alabama, Safety, Senior

Jamel Johnson, TCU, Safety, Senior

Kelley Jones, Mississippi State, Cornerback, Senior

Roger Jones Jr., Air Force, Safety, Junior

Earl Little Jr., Ohio State, Safety, Senior

Jelani McDonald, Texas, Safety, Senior

Jaden Mickey, Boise State, Cornerback, Senior

Leonard Moore, Notre Dame, Cornerback, Junior

Caleb Nix, Jacksonville State, Safety, Senior

Chris Peal, Syracuse, Cornerback, Senior

Koi Perich, Oregon, Safety, Junior

Brice Pollock, Texas Tech, Cornerback, Senior

Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia, Cornerback, Sophomore

Faletau Satuala, BYU, Safety, Junior

KT Seay, Delaware, Safety, Senior

Daytione Smith, Marshall, Safety, Senior

Shamir Sterlin, FIU, Safety, Sophomore

Jack Tchienchou, Tulane, Safety, Senior

DJ Walker, Ohio, Safety, Junior

Zach Williams, Tulsa, Safety, Junior

By Conference

AAC (3), ACC (3), Big 12 (3), Big Ten (5), CUSA (4), Independent (1), MAC (1), MW (2), Pac-12 (3), SEC (6), Sun Belt (4)

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports honors.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.

Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:

Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award

Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award

Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award

Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award

Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award

Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award

Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O’Brien Award

Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award

For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates

Wed., Aug. 12: Preseason watch list announced at 11 a.m. CDT/noon EDT

Tue., Oct. 27: Semifinalists announced at 11 a.m. CDT/noon EDT

A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists.

Tue., Nov. 24: Finalists announced at 11 a.m. CST/noon EST

The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

Fri., Dec. 11: Winner announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards

The winner will be announced on the ESPN live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards at 7 p.m. EST. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Biletnikoff Award, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Outland Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others.

Tue., Feb. 9, 2027: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet honoring the 2026 Winner in Oklahoma City

The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.

For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.

Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE:PAYC) ("Paycom"), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame jointly announced in May 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named the "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260811079678/en/

Olivia James Bonds

Marketing Communications & Event Director

Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame

ojames@oksportshof.org