Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association release today the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list. This list includes 40 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players. This list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons may be added as the season progresses.
A total of three MAC student-athletes have been named to the preseason list: Ball State's Bryce Cosby, Toledo teammates Tycen Anderson & Samuel Womack.
Cosby enters the 2021 season with 43 career starts which are the most of any active Ball State player. His eight career interceptions entering this season are the most among active BSU players, while his 282 career tackles are the second-most of any active MAC player behind only teammate Jaylin Thomas (289).
An All-MAC First Team selection, Cosby started all eight games at safety in 2020. He tied for the team lead with two interceptions while picking off passes at Toledo (11/28/20) and in the Arizona Bowl (12/31/20) victory over No. 19 San Jose State. Cosby registered a team-high nine tackles in the bowl win on his way to Defensive Player of the Game honors and a spot on the AP All-Bowl Team.
Anderson, a safety, earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2020. A native of Toledo, Anderson is a two-year starter and three-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
Womack, a cornerback who began his career as a walk-on, led the MAC in pass breakups in 2019 (15) and 2020 (8). The Detroit native was second in the nation in breakups in 2019 and tied for seventh last year.
The preseason watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award was compiled by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame based on previous performance and preseason All-America lists. A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitor the watch list players and narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists in October. This committee reconvenes on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
The winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. 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.
MAC Student-Athletes Listed on Thorpe Award Watch List
Bryce Cosby, Ball State, Sr.
Tycen Anderson, Toledo, Sr.
Samuel Womack, Toledo, Sr.
