Colorado State University Athletics
Howell Picks Up Another Watch List: Jim Thorpe Award
7/31/2024 10:55:00 AM | Football
The award recognizes the nation's top defensive back
FORT COLLINS – Senior safety Jack Howell landed on another preseason watch list this week, the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released Wednesday.
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Howell, a preseason all-conference selection on the Mountain West team, led the Rams' secondary and defense in 2023 as the second-leading tackler in the Mountain West with 114 tackles and 9.5 per game. He was third in the nation among defensive backs in tackles last season and earned All-Mountain West First Team recognition for the second-consecutive season.
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The watch list includes 42 of the nation's best defensive backs in college football. Howell is one of five Mountain West players to be named to the watch list.
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The OSHOF and the Jim Thorpe Association will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 26 and the winner will be unveiled on ESPN's live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards.
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The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935.
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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. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors.
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Howell, a preseason all-conference selection on the Mountain West team, led the Rams' secondary and defense in 2023 as the second-leading tackler in the Mountain West with 114 tackles and 9.5 per game. He was third in the nation among defensive backs in tackles last season and earned All-Mountain West First Team recognition for the second-consecutive season.
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The watch list includes 42 of the nation's best defensive backs in college football. Howell is one of five Mountain West players to be named to the watch list.
Â
The OSHOF and the Jim Thorpe Association will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 26 and the winner will be unveiled on ESPN's live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards.
Â
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935.
Â
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. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors.
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Players Mentioned
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