Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Semifinalists

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced today the 14 semifinalists for the 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to the best defensive back in college football.

Ugochukwu Amadi, Oregon, Safety, Sr.
DeAndre Baker, Georgia, Cornerback, Sr.
Kris Boyd, Texas, Cornerback, Sr.
Nate Brooks, North Texas, Cornerback, Sr.
Grant Delpit, LSU, Safety, So.
Richie Grant, UCF, Safety, RSo.
Lavert Hill, Michigan, Cornerback, Jr.
Michael Jackson, Sr., Miami (FL), Cornerback, Sr.
Jaquan Johnson, Miami (FL), Safety, Sr.
Julian Love, Notre Dame, Cornerback, Jr.
Amani Oruwariye, Penn State, Cornerback, Sr.
Taylor Rapp, Washington, Safety, Jr.
Caden Sterns, Texas, Safety, Fr.
Greedy Williams, LSU, Cornerback, So.

The 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists represent eight conferences:
AAC (1), ACC (2), BIG TEN (2), BIG 12 (2), C-USA (1), IND (1), PAC-12 (2), SEC (3)

The three finalists for the 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be named on Monday, November 19th, at 10:00 CST and the winner will be announced live at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 6th, airing on ESPN. The winner of the 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on February 5, 2019. Tickets to the 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be available for purchase December 8, 2018.

About the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 10-15 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6, 2018, on ESPN.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in Oklahoma City, OK.

Paycom Software, Inc. ("Paycom") PAYC, a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) jointly announced in May of 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named the "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award."

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 23 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.

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