Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2024 Semifinalists

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Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association have announced the 15 semifinalists for the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, representing seven conferences and one independent university. The award recognizes the best defensive back in college football based on field performance, athletic ability, and character. The selection process includes a screening committee that will choose three finalists, to be announced on November 26. The winner will be revealed during The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, with the official award presentation scheduled for February 4, 2025, in Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists. This list includes 15 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing seven conferences and one independent university. The semifinalists are selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 15 players based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. This list is not final, and unlisted players who continually have outstanding performances as the season progresses may be recognized as one of the three finalists.

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists announced (Photo: Business Wire)

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2024 Semifinalists

Jahdae Barron, Texas, Sr.
Jalen Catalon, UNLV, Sr.
Tacario Davis, Arizona, Jr.
Caleb Downs, Ohio State, So.
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, Jr.
Travis Hunter, Colorado, Jr.
Will Johnson, Michigan, Jr.
Rayuan Lane III, Navy, Sr.
Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, So.
Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon, Sr.
Xavier Scott, Illinois, Jr.
Terrence Spence, James Madison, Sr.
Malaki Starks, Georgia, Jr.
Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, Gr. Sr.
Nohl Williams, California, Sr.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Committee will reconvene on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The award finalists will be announced as part of a special presentation by ESPN on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, members of the NCFAA and sports writers and college football journalists throughout the country.

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. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates

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 of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

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 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 oklahomasportshalloffame.org.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 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’s 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’s top collegiate sports honors.

Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC) (“Paycom”), 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 “Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.”

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241029842598/en/

Olivia James

Marketing Communications & Event Director

Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame

ojames@oksportshof.org

Source: Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame

FAQ

Who are the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists?

The 15 semifinalists include Jahdae Barron (Texas), Caleb Downs (Ohio State), Travis Hunter (Colorado), Will Johnson (Michigan), Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), and other top defensive backs from seven conferences and one independent university.

When will the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner be announced?

The winner will be announced on December 12, 2024, during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

What is the selection process for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award?

A screening committee selects up to 15 semifinalists based on field performance, athletic ability, and character. Three finalists are then chosen by the committee, and the winner is selected by a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players, and coaches.