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OKLAHOMA CITY – Graduate student cornerback Tank Pearson and redshirt sophomore safety DJ Walker were named on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, as announced by Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association today (July 30). 

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.

Pearson (Oxford, Miss) started in 13 games for the Bobcats, finishing the season with 51 tackles, highlighted by 33 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. He recorded a season-high eight tackles during the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl against Jacksonville State. Pearson recorded a team-best four interceptions, two of which he snagged against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13), and was also credited with six pass breakups. Often seen on kickoffs, Pearson recorded 196 yards, averaging 19.6 yards per return.  

Walker (Aliquippa, Pa.) was a staple in the 2024 defense, starting in all 14 games. He amassed 53 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and seven tackles for loss. Walker logged the second-most pass breakups (7) and recorded his first collegiate interception against Akron (Sept. 28, 2024). Following the regular season, Walker was named All-MAC Second Team.

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.
 
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.
 
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.

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."
 
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