OKLAHOMA CITY– The Mid-American Conference was represented by Buffalo’s Marcus Fuqua and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell on the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association on Thursday.
This list includes 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university.
An All-MAC First Team selection in 2022, Fuqua was also an Associated Press third-team All-American last season after leading the nation in interceptions with seven. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 65 and added 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Mitchell led the nation with 25 passes defended (five interceptions, 20 breakups) in 2022, and was named second-team All-America by Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus, and third-team All-America by the Associated Press. A first-team All-MAC selection in 2022, gained national prominence after he collected four interceptions and two pick sixes in a 52-32 victory over Northern Illinois on Oct. 8. He was named to the 2023 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team, the only player from the Mid-American Conference and one of only three Group of Five conference players on the team.
Both Fuqua and Mitchell also received preseason recognition on the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List in July.
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.
#MACtion on the 2023 Watch Lists
Maxwell Award Watch List
Alex Adams | WR | Akron
Marquez Cooper | RB | Ball State
Samson Evans | RB | Eastern Michigan
Kurtis Rourke | QB | Ohio
Dequan Finn | QB | Toledo
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Shaun Dolac | LB | Buffalo
Marcus Fuqua | S | Buffalo
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
Donte Kent | CB | Central Michigan
Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
Devonte O'Malley | DT | NIU
Outland Trophy Watch List
Ethan Crowe | C | Ball State
Nolan Potter | OT | NIU
Nick Rosi | OT | Toledo
Deiyantei Powell-Woods | G | Central Michigan
Daymond Williams | DT | Buffalo
Lou Groza Watch List
Alex McNulty | K | Buffalo
Jesús Gómez | K | Eastern Michigan
Ray Guy Watch List
Dom Dzioban | P | Miami
Lucas Borrow | P | Ball State
Mitchell Tomasek | P | Eastern Michigan
Wuerffel Award Watch List
Clayton Coll | LB | Ball State
Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim | WR | BGSU
Austin Osborne | WR | BGSU
Brock Horne | LB | BGSU
Darren Anders | LB | BGSU
Demetrius Hardamon | LB | BGSU
Max Michel | DE | Buffalo
Robi Stuart | DL | Central Michigan
Brian Dooley | OL | Eastern Michigan
Dallas Gant | LB | Toledo
Boone Bonnema | LB | Western Michigan
Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Ron Cook Jr. | RB | Buffalo
Trayvon Rudolph | WR | Northern Illinois
Jacquez Stuart | RB | Toledo
The Rimington Trophy Watch List
Jacob Gideon | C | Western Michigan
Mackey Award Watch List
Brady Hunt | TE | Ball State
Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Alex Adams | WR | Akron
Jerjuan Newton | WR | Toledo
Sam Wiglusz | WR | Ohio
Davey O’Brien Watch List
Dequan Finn | QB | Toledo
Kurtis Rourke | QB | Ohio
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Sieh Bangura | RB | Ohio
Samson Evans | RB | Eastern Michigan
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois
Butkus Award Watch List
Shaun Dolac | LB | Buffalo
Dallas Gant | LB | Toledo
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Marcus Fuqua | S | Buffalo
Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
