The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association announced today that cornerback Avieon Terrell has been named as one of 35 candidates on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back. Additional information from the OSHOF is included below.
Visit the 2025 Preseason Honors hub for more preseason accolades garnered by Clemson.
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…