Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2026 Preseason Watch List

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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. 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. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260811079678/en/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 Mic...

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