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 have continually outstanding performances as the season progresses may be recognized as one of the three finalists.

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The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (Photo: Business Wire)

PAYCOM JIM THORPE AWARD 2023 SEMIFINALISTS

Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri, Junior

Jahdae Barron, Texas, Senior

Cole Bishop, Utah, Junior

Denzel Burke, Ohio State, Junior

Cooper DeJean, Iowa, Junior

Renardo Green, Florida State, Senior

Travis Hunter, Colorado, Sophomore

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, Junior

Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame, Sophomore

Jakob Robinson, BYU, Junior

Willie Roberts, Louisiana Tech, Senior

Jaylin Simpson, Auburn, Senior

Malaki Starks, Georgia, Sophomore

TJ Tampa, Iowa State, Senior

Trey Taylor, Air Force, Senior

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Committee will reconvene on the Sunday following Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The award finalists will be announced as part of a special presentation by ESPN on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts members of the NCFAA (an OSHOF in-house award committee), former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, sportswriters 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. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the redesigned NCFAA.org or follow on Twitter at @NCFAA.

PAYCOM JIM THORPE AWARD IMPORTANT DATES

Tue., Nov. 28

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.

Fri., Dec. 8

Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards

The winner will be announced on ESPN's 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 Trophy, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others.

Tue., Feb. 6, 2024

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet

Honoring the 2023 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. (“Paycom”) (NYSE: PAYC), 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.”

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