The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football.
Texas safety Caden Sterns could be the next player to take home this highly coveted honor. On Monday, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Associated announced that Sterns was named to the preseason watch list for the second-straight year.
The award was first presented in 1986, former Texas defensive backs Michael Huff and Aaron Ross are the only two Longhorns to win the award. However, there have been three finalists from Texas in Quentin Jammer, Earl Thomas, and DeShon Elliott.
Sterns is continuing to pile on the accolades ahead of the 2020 season. The third-year safety has already been named to the Bednarik Award watch list as the nation’s top defensive player, and also appeared on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team this year.
He missed four games last season due to nagging injuries, but still recorded 58 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and one pass break up. As a true freshman, Sterns was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
If he can stay healthy and continue to produce under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash, many national scouts expect Sterns to become a top selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Assuming the season takes place as scheduled, the Jim Thorpe Award will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN in December.