Jim Thorpe Award announces 2024 Preseason Watch List

The Jim Thorpe Award announced its 2024 Preseason Watch List Wednesday which included the best defensive backs to watch this year.

“This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses,” the release read.

The full list can be seen below.

Full Jim Thorpe Award 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,” the release read. “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.

“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.”