Five MAC Students Named To Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Five MAC Students Named To 2019 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame has released the 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch list, given annually to the nation's best defensive back in college football. This list includes 46 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and independents. Representing the MAC are Akron senior Alvin Davis, Eastern Michigan senior Vince Calhoun and senior Kevin McGill and Ohio senior Javon Hagan and junior Jamal Hudson.
The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. As such, it is considered one of the most coveted awards in college football. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee who compiles a list of 30-50 players. This list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses.
Calhoun, a native of Middletown, Ohio, was named All-MAC Third Team last season with Eastern Michigan as his three interceptions was tied for second in the MAC. McGill totaled 84 tackles, 47 solo and two tackles for loss, along with seven passes defensed and one recovered fumble.
Davis, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was named All-MAC First Team last season for the Akron Zips as he led the MAC with four interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. Davis added seven passes defensed, 75 total tackles, 43 solo, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.
Hagan, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., was named Alll-MAC First Team for Ohio as his 78 tackles, including 40 solo, ranked second on the Bobcats last season. Hagan added 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, six passes defensed, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble.
Hudson, a native of Miami, Fla., collected 39 tackles, 28 solo and one tackle for loss for the Ohio Bobcats last season. Hudson's 13 passes defensed was tied for the league lead and added one interception.
McGill, a native of Waldorf, Md., was named All-MAC Second Team for Eastern Michigan last season as his three interceptions was tied for second in the MAC. McGill added 38 tackles, 24 solo, 2.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble.
The award recipient is selected by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts members of the NCFAA, an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, and sportswriters and college football journalists throughout the country.
The 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Presented by Gildan on Thursday, December 12, 2019, on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, in Oklahoma City.
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.
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 (OSHOF) jointly announced in May of 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named “Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.”
