McDuffie Named To Thorpe Watch List

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List today and UW sophomoreTrent McDuffie is among 40 candidates. This list includes the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent.

McDuffie was previously named to the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award watch list givent to the nation's most outstanding defensive player. McDuffie, from Westminster, Calif., was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection last season, when he started all four games for the Huskies'  Pac-12 North Division champion team.

The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added as the season progresses.

A preseason watch list is compiled by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame based on previous performance and preseason All-America lists. A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitor the watch list players and narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists in October.

This committee reconvenes on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

The winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show.