OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 12, 2026--
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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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 visitwww.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.”
Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List for 2026.
