Jeremiah Cooper Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

© Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register/USA TODAY NETWORK

On July 31, the Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced that Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Jeremiah Cooper had been named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List.

The Jim Thorpe Award is handed out every season to the player deemed the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on several factors, including athletic ability, character and performance on the field. It is named after one of the greatest athletes ever, Jim Thorpe, who was an Olympic gold medalist, a professional football player, a professional baseball player and a professional basketball player.

Jeremiah Cooper's College Career

Cooper is a junior from El Paso, Texas. He is 6-foot and weighs 185 pounds. He is a preseason All-Big 12 Conference selection after receiving first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023. He is also on the Big 12 commissioner's academic honor roll.

Cooper started and played 11 games for the Cyclones last season, and he ended up finishing second in the Big 12 and sixth in the nation with 5 interceptions. He tallied 45 total tackles, 27 of which were solo efforts. He was No. 4 in the nation in passes defended per game, with 1.4. Cooper also forced a fumble and returned 1 of the 5 interceptions he snagged to the house for a touchdown.

More Watch List Information

The Jim Thorpe Association recognized 42 players in the country on its watch list, and Cooper is one of four Big 12 players included on the prestigious list.

After being named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, Cooper is now on three award watch lists. He has also been named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Lott Impact Trophy Watch List.

The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and Lott Impact Trophy is awarded to the defensive impact player of the year in college football. Impact stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity. It is named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.

Cooper and the Cyclones open the season on Aug. 31 against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, who are coming off a strong season in which they appeared in the FCS playoffs.

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs as the season goes on to see if Cooper takes home the Jim Thorpe Award.