Johnson Tabbed to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
8/12/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
Third preseason accolade for the safety
OKLAHOMA CITY – Adding to his growing list of preseason accolades, TCU safety Jamel Johnson was named to the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association on Wednesday.
The list features 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university. Johnson is one of three Big 12 representatives on the list.
As a junior in 2025 the Arlington native was a key piece of the TCU defense, playing and starting every game at safety. He totaled 96 tackles and had five interceptions, which tied for the most in the Big 12 last season.
His strong season last year built off his successful sophomore campaign, where he had the third most tackles on the Frog squad with 73.
The Horned Frogs have a strong recent history with the Thorpe Award, as Trevon Moehrig took home the honor in 2020 and Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson won it in 2022. TCU is the only team with multiple winners of the award in the last 10 seasons and one of just five schools with multiple winners in the 21st century, joining Ohio State, Texas, LSU and Oklahoma.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 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 is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors.
TCU PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Jaheim Buchanon - Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
John Hoyet Chance - Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-America Team, Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
Ansel Din-Mbuh - Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Outland Trophy Watch List, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Jordan Dwyer - Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
Jamel Johnson - Preseason All-Big 12 Team, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Ben Taylor-Whitfield - Outland Trophy Watch List, Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-America Team, Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
The list features 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university. Johnson is one of three Big 12 representatives on the list.
As a junior in 2025 the Arlington native was a key piece of the TCU defense, playing and starting every game at safety. He totaled 96 tackles and had five interceptions, which tied for the most in the Big 12 last season.
His strong season last year built off his successful sophomore campaign, where he had the third most tackles on the Frog squad with 73.
The Horned Frogs have a strong recent history with the Thorpe Award, as Trevon Moehrig took home the honor in 2020 and Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson won it in 2022. TCU is the only team with multiple winners of the award in the last 10 seasons and one of just five schools with multiple winners in the 21st century, joining Ohio State, Texas, LSU and Oklahoma.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 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 is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors.
TCU PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Jaheim Buchanon - Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
John Hoyet Chance - Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-America Team, Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
Ansel Din-Mbuh - Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Outland Trophy Watch List, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Jordan Dwyer - Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
Jamel Johnson - Preseason All-Big 12 Team, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Ben Taylor-Whitfield - Outland Trophy Watch List, Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-America Team, Sports Info Solutions Preseason All-Big 12 First Team
Players Mentioned
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