This summer, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List featuring standout defensive backs from around the country who may clinch the 2024 award.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports honors, the annual Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
The award, first presented in 1986, is named after the legendary athlete and Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe, the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States in the Olympics. He won the pentathlon and decathlon in the 1912 Olympic Games. Former Oklahoma City talk show host Ed Sossen and W. Lynne Draper, former Jim Thorpe Association (now Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame) Executive Director, devised the award to shed a positive light on Oklahoma and promote it nationally.
In May 2017, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Paycom, a leading HR software and payroll solution provider, announced an exclusive sponsorship, leading to the naming of this athletics award as the “Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.”
Last year’s winner, Trey Taylor, a defensive back from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here are some of the standout players who might clinch the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award:
Aydan White
Aydan White, NC State senior and standout cornerback from the ACC, finds himself on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist for the second consecutive year. White’s stellar play over the past two seasons has frustrated opposing quarterbacks, as he has yet to surrender a touchdown pass.
With eight career interceptions, he leads his team’s secondary and ranks among the ACC’s elite defensive backs. Last season, White finished fifth in the conference in passes defended, showcasing his lockdown coverage skills and earning him a spot on the All-ACC Third Team.
Maxwell Hairston
Maxwell Hairston, a junior from Kentucky, is coming off an impressive 2023 season where he ranked fifth nationally with five interceptions, including four in SEC play. His five picks are tied for the fifth-most in a single season in the program’s history and were the most by a Wildcat since 2009.
Hairston’s 131 interception return yards were the highest by a Kentucky player since 1981. In a memorable game against Vanderbilt, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns, tying an SEC single-game record.
Dontae Balfour
Dontae Balfour, a key contributor to Charlotte’s success, started 11 games in 2023 and finished fourth on the squad with 54 tackles, including 34 solo stops and one tackle for loss. He also forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and snagged an interception. Balfour’s ability to break up passes was on full display against Memphis, where he tied the single-game record.
In an overtime win at Tulsa, he recorded three pass breakups and sealed the victory with a game-ending interception. Balfour’s season-high of nine tackles, along with a tackle for loss and a forced fumble, came in a hard-fought overtime loss against Memphis.
Gabriel Taylor
Rice Senior Gabriel Taylor’s performance in 2023 caught the eye of many, earning him the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week on October 25. Conference coaches rewarded him with honorable mention All-AAC honors for his consistent play throughout the season.
Taylor saw action in 12 of 13 games, all as a starter, and topped 55 tackles for the third consecutive year. He finished third on the team with 59 tackles, with his top tackle game of eight coming against South Florida. Taylor was second on the team with 10 passes defended, including two interceptions and eight breakups. He currently stands as the Owls’ active leader with seven career interceptions.
Semifinalists Announcement Date Set
A dedicated screening committee carefully selects the preseason watch list, featuring up to 50 players. Their choices are based on past NCAA Division I football performances and preseason All-America rankings. However, this list remains dynamic throughout the season. Players who shine on the field may earn spots on the semifinalist and finalist rosters, even if not initially included.
Mark your calendars. Semifinalists will be revealed on Tuesday, October 29.
2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Full Watch List
- Dontae Balfour, Charlotte, Jr.
- Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma, Sr.
- Shyheim Brown, Florida State, Jr.
- Cobee Bryant, Kansas, Sr.
- Denzel Burke, Ohio State, Sr.
- Derek Carter, Jacksonville State, Jr.
- Sebastian Castro, Iowa, Gr. Sr.
- Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State, Jr.
- Tacario Davis, Arizona, Jr.
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State, So.
- Daylen Everette, Georgia, Jr.
- Jordan Favors, Appalachian State, Jr.
- Brylan Green, Liberty, Jr.
- Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, Jr.
- Maxen Hook, Toledo, Sr.
- Jack Howell, Colorado State, Sr.
- Travis Hunter, Colorado, Jr.
- Anthony Johnson Jr., Western Kentucky, Sr.
- Ethan Johnson, Appalachian State, Jr.
- Will Johnson, Michigan, Jr.
- Donte Kent, Central Michigan, Sr.
- Rayuan Lane III, Navy, Sr.
- Ike Larsen, Utah State, Jr.
- A’Marion McCoy, Boise State, Sr.
- Donovan McMillon, Pittsburgh, Sr.
- Malachi Moore, Alabama, Gr. Sr.
- Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame, Jr.
- Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon, Sr.
- Seyi Oladipo, Boise State, Sr.
- Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green, Sr.
- Cameron Oliver, UNLV, Sr.
- Gavin Pringle, Georgia State, Sr.
- Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina, Sr.
- Quincy Riley, Louisville, Sr.
- Jonas Sanker, Virginia, Sr.
- Malaki Starks, Georgia, Jr.
- Gabriel Taylor, Rice, Sr.
- Dillon Thieneman, Purdue, So.
- Jaden Voisin, South Alabama, Sr.
- Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, Gr. Sr.
- Aydan White, NC State, Sr.
- Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin, Sr.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards, and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a 15-day period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates.
Following is the remaining 2024 preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., July 29: Maxwell Award
Tue., July 30: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., July 31: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 1: Paul Hornung Award/Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 5: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 6: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 9: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 12: Bednarik Award
Tue., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates
Wed., July 31: Preseason Watch List Announced
Tue., Oct. 29: Semifinalists Announced
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. 26: Finalists Announced
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.
Thu., Dec. 12: 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. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others.
Tue., Feb. 4, 2025: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2024 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 500 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.