OKLAHOMA CITY - Ohio teammates Tank Pearson and DJ Walker along with Toledo cornerback Avery Smith were named to the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association on Wednesday. The award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive back.
Pearson (Oxford, Miss) started in 13 games for the Bobcats, finishing the season with 51 tackles, highlighted by 33 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. He recorded a season-high eight tackles during the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl against Jacksonville State. Pearson recorded a team-best four interceptions, two of which he snagged against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 13), and was also credited with six pass breakups. Often seen on kickoffs, Pearson recorded 196 yards, averaging 19.6 yards per return.
Walker (Aliquippa, Pa.) was a staple in the 2024 defense, starting in all 14 games. He amassed 53 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and seven tackles for loss. Walker logged the second-most pass breakups (7) and recorded his first collegiate interception against Akron (Sept. 28, 2024). Following the regular season, Walker was named All-MAC Second Team.
A Second-Team All-MAC selection a season ago, Smith totaled 58 tackles, 16 passes defended, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. He had the game-winning pass breakup at Eastern Michigan on the final play in a 29-28 thriller, and tied a career high with eight tackles and broke up a pass in Toledo's six-overtime GameAbove Sports Bowl victory over Pitt. He was second in the FBS in PBUs and second in the MAC in passes defended.
Toledo has earned a selection to the watch list for the third-straight season, with first-round NFL Draft pick Quinyon Mitchell being picked in 2023 and Maxen Hook being selected in 2024.
This list includes 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing nine conferences and one independent university. 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.
The 15 semifinalists for the award will be chosen on Oct. 28, three finalists on Nov. 25 and the Jim Thorpe Award will be presented at the College Football Awards in December.
MACtion on Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award
Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo
Parker Navarro, Ohio
Tucker Gleason, Toledo
Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Red Murdock, Buffalo
Jim Thorpe Award
Tank Pearson, Ohio
DJ Walker, Ohio
Avery Smith, Toledo
