3 players most likely to win Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 season ft. Travis Hunter
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award has been given to the best defensive back in college football since 1986. The prestigious award is named after multi-sport star and Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Jim Thorpe. He starred at defensive back, running back, kicker and punter for the Carlisle Indians and was a consensus All-American in both 1911 and 1912.
As the 2024 season winds down with the calendar now turning to Week 13, here's a closer look at three players who could win the Jim Thorpe Award this year.
3 players most likely to win Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 season
#1. Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter initially joined the Jackson State Tigers as a five-star prospect – and the top-ranked overall recruit – in the 2022 recruiting class. After just one season, he followed the head coach to the Colorado Buffaloes via the transfer portal. Hunter has garnered plenty of attention due to his status as an elite player on both sides of the football.
While his contributions as a wide receiver are not relevant here, his play at cornerback makes him more than deserving of the nod. Opposing teams hardly target the Buffaloes' two-way star's side of the field, however, he has recorded 24 total tackles, 17 of which were solo tackles, one tackle for loss, three interceptions, one game-winning forced fumble and eight passes defended.
#2. Nohl Williams
Nohl Williams initially joined the UNLV Rebels as a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. He joined the California Golden Bears via the transfer portal ahead of last season. The cornerback is in the midst of a breakout season as he has set career-highs in both interceptions and passes defended.
Williams has recorded 39 total tackles, 25 of which were solo tackles, an NCAA-leading seven interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and seven passes defended.
#3. Jalen Catalon
Jalen Catalon initially joined the Arkansas Razorbacks as a four-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class. After four seasons with the program, he joined the Texas Longhorns via the transfer portal ahead of last season.
Catalon lasted just one season in Austin before joining the UNLV Rebels ahead of this year. He is in the midst of the best season of his six-year career. The safety has recorded 73 total tackles, 45 of which were solo tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble and three passes defended.