Terrell Named to Thorpe Award Watch List
OKLAHOMA CITY – 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 nine 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.
2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
Xavion Alford, Safety, Arizona State, Sr.
Ty Benefield, Safety, Boise State, Jr.
KJ Bolden, Safety, Georgia, So.
Bud Clark, Safety, TCU, Sr.
Jeremiah Cooper, Safety, Iowa State, Sr.
Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State, Jr.
Daylen Everette, Cornerback, Georgia, Sr.
David Fisher, Cornerback, North Texas, Sr.
Chance Gamble, Cornerback, Georgia Southern, Sr.
Brylan Green, Safety, Liberty, Sr.
Tyler Hallum, Cornerback, Kennesaw State, Sr.
Al’zillion Hamilton, Cornerback, Fresno State, Sr.
Davison Igbinosun, Cornerback, Ohio State, Sr.
Casey Larkin, Safety, Army, Sr.
A’Marion McCoy, Cornerback, Boise State, Sr.
Jermod McCoy, Cornerback, Tennessee, Jr.
Leonard Moore, Cornerback, Notre Dame, So.
Terry Moore, Safety, Duke, Sr.
Malik Muhammad, Cornerback, Texas, Jr.
Isaiah Nwokobia, Safety, SMU, Sr.
Tank Pearson, Cornerback, Ohio, Gr. Sr.
Koi Perich, Safety, Minnesota, So.
D’Angelo Ponds, Cornerback, Indiana, Jr.
Chandler Rivers, Cornerback, Duke, Sr.
De’Shawn Rucker, Cornerback, South Florida, Sr.
Xavier Scott, Cornerback, Illinois, Sr.
Tyree Skipper, Safety, Louisiana, Sr.
Avery Smith, Cornerback, Toledo, Sr.
Michael Taaffe, Safety, Texas, Sr.
Avieon Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson, Jr.
Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon, Jr.
Jacob Thomas, Safety, James Madison, Sr.
DJ Walker, Safety, Ohio, So.
JeRico Washington Jr., Cornerback, Kennesaw State, So.
Jontez Williams, Cornerback, Iowa State, Jr.
By Conference
AAC (3), ACC (4), Big 12 (4), Big Ten (6), CUSA (3), Independent (1), MAC (3), MW (3), SEC (5), Sun Belt (3)
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 more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.
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 2025 preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., July 28: Maxwell Award
Tue., July 29: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., July 30: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/Butkus Award
Thu., July 31: Paul Hornung Award/Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 1: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 4: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 5: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 6: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 7: Davey O’Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 11: Bednarik Award
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates
Wed., July 30: Preseason Watch List Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
Tue., Oct. 28: Semifinalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
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. 25: Finalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET
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. 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 at 7 p.m. ET. 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. 10, 2026: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2025 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 visit www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.
