The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association have unveiled the 15 semifinalists for the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. These players, representing six conferences and one independent university, were selected based on their on-field performance, athletic ability, and character. The list includes standout defensive backs from schools like Louisville, Georgia, Oklahoma, and UCLA, among others.
The semifinalists were chosen by a screening committee, but the list is not final. Players not initially named may still be considered if they continue to excel as the season progresses. The committee will reconvene the Sunday before Thanksgiving to narrow the field to three finalists, who will be announced on November 24 during an ESPN presentation.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, established in 1986, honors the best defensive back in college football. The winner will be selected from the three finalists by a national panel of over 250 sports writers, former players, and coaches. The award ceremony will take place on December 11 during The Home Depot College Football Awards, with the official banquet scheduled for February 9, 2027, in Oklahoma City.
Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC), a leading provider of cloud-based human capital management software, has been the exclusive sponsor of the award since 2017. The award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses some of the most prestigious honors in college football.