Talent Spotlight: Projected Candidates for the Thorpe Award

© Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

For almost 40 years, one of the most prestigious awards in college football has been given to the top defensive back in the country. The Thorpe Award recognizes athletic ability, performance on the field and overall character. The award is named for one of the most talented athletes in the history of collegiate athletics.

Below are some of the players we project will be on the Thorpe Award watch list that comes out on July 31.

Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State Buckeyes

A transfer from Alabama, Downs was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year in 2023 after leading the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles. In addition, Downs recorded 2 INTs, 4 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble. Downs comes to a Buckeyes’ defense that returns nine starters and was named a 2024 preseason Walter Camp All-American.

Billy Bowman Jr., Safety, Oklahoma Sooners

Bowman was an unholy terror for opponents’ passing game as he recorded 6 INTs, and returned three for touchdowns last season. In addition, Bowman posted 63 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 4 pass breakups. For his efforts, Bowman earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.

Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia Bulldogs

Returning to a defensive unit that welcomes back seven starters, Starks picked off 3 passes in 2023. He also recorded 52 tackles and broke up 7 passes. In two seasons with the Bulldogs, Starks has 5 INTs and 14 pass breakups. Earlier this month, Starks was named a 2024 preseason Walter Camp All-American.

If Starks appears on the 2024 watch list, it will be his second appearance in as many years as a Thorpe Award candidate.

Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

In three seasons with the Fighting Irish, Watts has 106 tackles and 10 pass breakups. Last season, Watts tied for the national lead with 7 INTs. In addition, Watts was named a 2024 preseason Walter Camp All-American.

Jeremiah Cooper, Defensive Back, Iowa State Cyclones

A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2023, Cooper was a one-man wrecking crew for the Cyclones. Cooper recorded 5 INTs and returned one for a touchdown. In addition, Cooper posted 45 tackles, 10 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

Dillon Thieneman, Defensive Back, Purdue Boilermakers

A second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection in 2023, Thieneman led the Boilermakers with 106 tackles. In addition, he ranked No. 3 in the FBS with 6 INTs. And, Thieneman was named a 2024 preseason Walter Camp All-American.

Maxwell Hairston, Defensive Back, Kentucky Wildcats

A 2024 first-team preseason All-SEC selection, Hairston recorded 5 INTs in 2023 and returned two for touchdowns against Vanderbilt. In addition, Hairston recorded 68 tackles and broke up 6 passes.

Ricardo Hallman, Cornerback, Wisconsin Badgers

Tied for the national lead in INTs in 2023, Hallman recorded 7 INTs for the Badgers posted 34 tackles and broke up 5 passes.

Travis Hunter, Cornerback, Colorado Buffaloes

Hunter is a 2024 first-team preseason Walter Camp All-American after a stellar 2023 campaign that saw him record 3 INTs, 5 pass breakups and 30 tackles. In addition, Hunter caught 57 passes for 721 yards and 5 touchdowns. If Hunter does not meet the criteria for the award based on that kind of production and athleticism, then who does?

Isaiah Nwokobia, Safety, SMU Mustangs

Nwokobia finished the 2023 season third on the team in tackles with 61 stops and will help lead the Mustangs into the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time in 2024. In addition, Nwokobia recorded 4 INTs and returned two of those for touchdowns last season.

The 2023 Thorpe Award was hoisted by Air Force safety Trey Taylor. Taylor was third on the Falcons team with 74 tackles. In addition, Taylor recorded 3 INTs (returning one for a TD), 5 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups and 1 blocked kick. Taylor was the first Air Force player to win the prestigious award.