Elam Named to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Monday, July 20, 2020 | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Gators defensive back Kaiir Elam is among 49 defenders nationwide to be named to this year's Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association announced Monday.
As a true freshman, Elam appeared in all 13 games in 2019, starting in five of them and finishing the season with 11 tackles, three interceptions and four passes defended.
The Riviera Beach, Florida, native was one of only seven FBS true freshmen—and one of two in the SEC—to record at least three interceptions last season. Additionally, Elam became the fifth Gator since 2010 and the 10th since 1996 to have at least three picks in their first season at Florida.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football's top defensive back, is one of the National College Football Awards Association's most coveted honors. Established in 1986, the award recognizes performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, will select 10 to 15 semifinalists on Monday, Nov. 2. The committee will then name three finalists two weeks later on Monday, Nov. 16.
A national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches will vote to select the 2020 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner, which will be unveiled live on ESPN Thursday, Dec. 10, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
As a true freshman, Elam appeared in all 13 games in 2019, starting in five of them and finishing the season with 11 tackles, three interceptions and four passes defended.
The Riviera Beach, Florida, native was one of only seven FBS true freshmen—and one of two in the SEC—to record at least three interceptions last season. Additionally, Elam became the fifth Gator since 2010 and the 10th since 1996 to have at least three picks in their first season at Florida.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football's top defensive back, is one of the National College Football Awards Association's most coveted honors. Established in 1986, the award recognizes performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, will select 10 to 15 semifinalists on Monday, Nov. 2. The committee will then name three finalists two weeks later on Monday, Nov. 16.
A national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches will vote to select the 2020 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner, which will be unveiled live on ESPN Thursday, Dec. 10, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
| 2020 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 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 |
Players Mentioned
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