# Jim Thorpe Award announces 2026 preseason watch list

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jim-thorpe-award-announces-2026-preseason-watch-list
> Updated: 2026-08-12T16:05:05.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

## Claims

- The 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List has been announced. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The preseason watch list includes 35 defensive backs representing 10 conferences and one independent university. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Semifinalists for the award will be announced on October 27, with finalists named on November 24. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- BYU safety Faletau Satuala was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. (single source)
- TCU safety Jamel Johnson was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. (single source)
- Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. (single source)
- Texas Tech cornerback Brice Pollock was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. (single source)
- The winner of the Jim Thorpe Award will be announced on December 11. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Jim Thorpe Award announces 2026 preseason watch list

The 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List has been announced, featuring 35 elite defensive backs, including representatives from BYU, TCU, Texas Tech, and Mississippi State.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jim-thorpe-award-announces-2026-preseason-watch-list

### 2026-08-11: Lombardi Award announces 2026 preseason watch list

The 2026 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List has been announced, featuring 54 top college football linemen and linebackers, including Drew Bobo of Georgia and Zach Greenberg of James Madison University.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lombardi-award-announces-2026-preseason-watch-list

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Cite as: Jim Thorpe Award announces 2026 preseason watch list. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jim-thorpe-award-announces-2026-preseason-watch-list