Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

Kaiir Elam, who appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman last season, has been named to the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

Sophomore Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam is gaining some national recognition heading into his second season in Gainesville. Elam, who appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman last season, has been named to the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the top defensive back in college football. He was one of 49 secondary players placed on the list.

Elam started five games in 2019, totaling 11 tackles and three interceptions. He was one of just seven true freshmen in the FBS to snag three or more picks last season. With the departure of one of last year’s starting corners in C.J. Henderson, Elam is likely to take over his starting role on the outside.

The list of 49 will be narrowed to 10-15 semifinalists on Nov. 2 before being slimmed to just three finalists on Nov. 16. The winner is set to be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 10.

Here’s the full watch list.

Kaiir Elam Florida
Paulson Adebo Stanford
Reed Blankenship Middle Tennessee State
Eric Burrell Wisconsin
Camryn Bynum California
T.J. Carter Memphis
Andre Cisco Syracuse
Kenderick Duncan,  Jr. Georgia Southern
Greg Eisworth Iowa State
Caleb Farley Virginia Tech
Paris Ford Pitt
Kaleb Ford-Dement Old Dominion
Darrick Forrest Cincinnati
Ahmad Gardner Cincinnati
Thomas Graham,  Jr. Oregon
Richie Grant UCF
Darren Hall San Diego State
Brontae Harris UAB
Kolby Harvell-Peel Oklahoma State
Tyrone Hill Buffalo
Jevon Holland Oregon
Talanoa Hufanga USC
Shaun Jolly Appalachian State
Kekaula Kaniho Boise State
Derion Kendrick Clemson
Richard LeCounte Georgia
Trevon Moehrig TCU
Elijah Molden Washington
Israel Mukuamu South Carolina
Hamsah Nasirildeen Florida State
Dell Pettus Troy
Antonio Phillips Ball State
Aaron Robinson UCF
Emmanuel Rugamba Miami (OH)
Caden Sterns Texas
JaCoby Stevens LSU
Derek Stingley, Jr. LSU
Eric Stokes Georgia
Corey Straughter ULM
Patrick Surtain II Alabama
Ambry Thomas Michigan
Tariq Thompson San Diego State
Amechi Uzodinma Ball State
Shaun Wade Ohio State
Lamont Wade Penn State
Jalen Walker Boise State
Jermaine Waller Virginia Tech
Sterling Weatherford Miami (OH)
James Wiggins Cincinnati

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