{"id":994281,"date":"2026-08-12T12:07:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T16:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-and-jim-thorpe-association-proudly-reveal-the-paycom-jim-thorpe-award-2026-preseason-watch-list\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T12:07:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T16:07:04","slug":"oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-and-jim-thorpe-association-proudly-reveal-the-paycom-jim-thorpe-award-2026-preseason-watch-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-and-jim-thorpe-association-proudly-reveal-the-paycom-jim-thorpe-award-2026-preseason-watch-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>        <!--.bwalignc { text-align: center; list-style-position: inside }body {font:normal small Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#000;background-color:#fff;padding:24px;margin:0;} a img {border:0;} h3 {font-size:medium;color:#000;margin:0 0 1em 0; text-align:center;}-->  <\/p>\n<p class=\"bwalignc\"><b>Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List<\/b><\/p>\n<p>OKLAHOMA CITY&#8211;(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.businesswire.com\">BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)&#8211;<br \/>\nToday, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"news-body-cta\">This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260811079678\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260811079678\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"bwbodyimg\" style=\"width: 480px;float:left;padding-left:0px;padding-right:20px;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260811079678\/en\/2874073\/4\/BW_GRAPHIC_2026_Paycom_Jim_Thorpe_Award-_WATCH_LIST_2400x1350.jpg\" alt=\"Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List for 2026.\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:85%\">Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List for 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nAs the leader of the No. 1 defense in 2025, Ohio State University\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>\nThe Thorpe Award\u2019s 2026 preseason candidates are revealed alphabetically by last name with university, position and class year noted.<\/p>\n<p><b>2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\nKJ Bolden, Georgia, Safety, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Austin Brawley, New Mexico, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Zabien Brown, Alabama, Cornerback, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Mario Easterly, Old Dominion, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Tre\u2019Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Amare Ferrell, Indiana, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon, Cornerback, Sophomore<br \/>\n<br \/>Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami, Safety, Sophomore<br \/>\n<br \/>Chance Gamble, Georgia Southern, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana, Cornerback, Sophomore<br \/>\n<br \/>Elijah Green, Tulsa, Cornerback, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Brevin Hamblin, Utah State, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Ashton Hampton, Clemson, Cornerback, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Simeon Harris, Fresno State, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Jyaire Hill, Michigan, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Bray Hubbard, Alabama, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Jamel Johnson, TCU, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Kelley Jones, Mississippi State, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Roger Jones Jr., Air Force, Safety, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Earl Little Jr., Ohio State, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Jelani McDonald, Texas, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Jaden Mickey, Boise State, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Leonard Moore, Notre Dame, Cornerback, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Caleb Nix, Jacksonville State, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Chris Peal, Syracuse, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Koi Perich, Oregon, Safety, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Brice Pollock, Texas Tech, Cornerback, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia, Cornerback, Sophomore<br \/>\n<br \/>Faletau Satuala, BYU, Safety, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>KT Seay, Delaware, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Daytione Smith, Marshall, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>Shamir Sterlin, FIU, Safety, Sophomore<br \/>\n<br \/>Jack Tchienchou, Tulane, Safety, Senior<br \/>\n<br \/>DJ Walker, Ohio, Safety, Junior<br \/>\n<br \/>Zach Williams, Tulsa, Safety, Junior<\/p>\n<p><b>By Conference<\/b><\/p>\n<p>\nAAC (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)<\/p>\n<p>\nThe <b>Paycom Jim Thorpe Award<\/b> 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\u2019s 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\u2019s top collegiate sports honors.<\/p>\n<p>\nThe Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football\u2019s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA\u2019s 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>\nSixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award\u2019s preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:<\/p>\n<p>\nWed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O\u2019Brien Award<br \/>\n<br \/>Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award<\/p>\n<p>\nFor more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.<\/p>\n<p><b>Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Wed., Aug. 12:<\/b> Preseason watch list announced at 11 a.m. CDT\/noon EDT<\/p>\n<p><b>Tue., Oct. 27:<\/b> Semifinalists announced at 11 a.m. CDT\/noon EDT<\/p>\n<p>\nA 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.<\/p>\n<p><b>Tue., Nov. 24:<\/b> Finalists announced at 11 a.m. CST\/noon EST<\/p>\n<p>\nThe 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.<\/p>\n<p><b>Fri., Dec. 11:<\/b> Winner announced on <i>The Home Depot College Football Awards<\/i><\/p>\n<p>\nThe winner will be announced on the ESPN live presentation of <i>The Home Depot College Football Awards <\/i>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\u2019Brien Award, Outland Trophy, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others.<\/p>\n<p><b>Tue., Feb. 9, 2027:<\/b> Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet honoring the 2026 Winner in Oklahoma City<\/p>\n<p>\nThe official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following <i>The Home Depot College Football Awards<\/i>. 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.<\/p>\n<p><i>For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit <\/i><a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oklahomasportshalloffame.org%2F&amp;esheet=54587935&amp;newsitemid=20260811079678&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org&amp;index=1&amp;md5=83834d4be9f720c30ed7f59fdfeeea9a\"><i>www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>Paycom Software, Inc<\/b>. (NYSE: PAYC) (\u201cPaycom\u201d), 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 \u201cPaycom Jim Thorpe Award.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cts.businesswire.com\/ct\/CT?id=bwnews&amp;sty=20260811079678r1&amp;sid=flmnd&amp;distro=nx&amp;lang=en\" style=\"width:0;height:0\" \/><span class=\"bwct31415\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"mmgallerylink\"><span id=\"mmgallerylink-phrase\">View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span><span id=\"mmgallerylink-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260811079678\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260811079678\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\nOlivia James Bonds<br \/>\n<br \/>Marketing Communications &amp; Event Director<br \/>\n<br \/>Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame<br \/>\n<br \/><i><a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"mailto:ojames@oksportshof.org\">ojames@oksportshof.org<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<p><b>KEYWORDS:<\/b> Oklahoma United States North America<\/p>\n<p><b>INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Sports University General Sports Education Technology Professional Services Football Men Software Consumer Finance<\/p>\n<p><b>MEDIA:<\/b><\/p>\n<table cellpadding=\"3\" cellspacing=\"3\">\n<tr>\n<td><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"><b>Photo<\/b><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260811079678\/en\/2874073\/3\/BW_GRAPHIC_2026_Paycom_Jim_Thorpe_Award-_WATCH_LIST_2400x1350.jpg\" alt=\"Photo\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List for 2026.<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"><b>Logo<\/b><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260811079678\/en\/2874247\/3\/Paycom_Jim_Thorpe_Award_Logo_pewter_with_green_icon.jpg\" alt=\"Logo\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"><\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List OKLAHOMA CITY&#8211;(BUSINESS WIRE)&#8211; 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\u2019s 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. This &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-and-jim-thorpe-association-proudly-reveal-the-paycom-jim-thorpe-award-2026-preseason-watch-list\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-994281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List - Market Newsdesk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-and-jim-thorpe-association-proudly-reveal-the-paycom-jim-thorpe-award-2026-preseason-watch-list\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List - Market Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List OKLAHOMA CITY&#8211;(BUSINESS WIRE)&#8211; 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\u2019s 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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Market Newsdesk","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame-and-jim-thorpe-association-proudly-reveal-the-paycom-jim-thorpe-award-2026-preseason-watch-list\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List - Market Newsdesk","og_description":"Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List OKLAHOMA CITY&#8211;(BUSINESS WIRE)&#8211; 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\u2019s 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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