It’s award semifinalist list season and the Jim Thorpe Award joins the Davey O’Brien Award and William F. Campbell Trophy with its announcement. The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association and has been awarded the top defensive back since 1986.
Since 1986, nine players from the currently-constructed 18-team conference have won the Jim Thorpe Award. Heading into the season, seven Big Ten defensive backs were on the Jim Thorpe Award preseason watchlist. Three of the four semifinalists were on the preseason watchlist with one new name.
Three finalists will be announced on November 26 and the eventual winner will be announced on December 12.
Four Big Ten Defensive Backs Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
One of two underclassmen on the list, Caleb Downs has been revolutionary in the Buckeyes’ secondary. After being the first freshman to lead Alabama in tackles and racking up honor after honor last year, Downs transferred to Ohio State and has continued his elite play.
Through seven games, Downs has played the most out of any Buckeye defender with 381 snaps. He is third on the team with 31 tackles, second with five-and-a-half tackles for loss, with half of a sack, and three pass breakups.
The hype is justified with Downs. He shows up in big moments and rarely misses a tackle.
Downs is looking to be the third Buckeye to hoist the Jim Thorpe Award (Antoine Winfield, 1998; Malcolm Jenkins, 2008).
Will Johnson (Michigan)
Despite battling injuries, Will Johnson is playing at a high level. An easy choice for the Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist list, Johnson is expected to be one of, if not the top cornerback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While he has just 14 tackles and one tackle for loss in six games played, Johnson has two pick-sixes and broke up five other passes. On 26 targets in coverage, Johnson has allowed a meager 52.6 passer rating. He was named to midseason All-American lists as well as the Lott IMPACT Trophy Quarterfinalist list.
Johnson has an opportunity to be the second Michigan Wolverine to win the award after 1997 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson did so.
Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon)
The former Oklahoma State and Washington corner has found even more success with Oregon. Jabbar Muhammad is no stranger to high-level play. He is coming off of back-to-back seasons where he made incredible impacts for his teams.
This year, through eight games, Muhammad has recorded 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, and seven pass breakups. He is currently widely-expected as a third-round prospect but Muhammad is playing his way into top-50 consideration. When the NFL Scouting Combine rolls around, he will be a name to watch.
Muhammad is playing to be the first-ever Oregon Duck to win the Jim Thorpe Award.
Xavier Scott (Illinois)
Illinois’ 6-2 start has taken the Big Ten by storm and the play of Xavier Scott has been a massive help. The junior corner is baking up his strong play from a season ago when he led the Big Ten in passes defensed.
To date, Scott has recorded 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions, one pick-six, two more passes broken up, and forced a fumble. According to PFF’s grading, he is the top-rated tackler among all Power 4 cornerbacks and is second among all FBS players.
Illinois has never had a Jim Thorpe Award winner but Scott is on his way to being the first.
The Rest of the Field
- Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- Jalen Catalon (UNLV)
- Tacario Davis (Arizona)
- Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
- Travis Hunter (Colorado)
- Rayuan Lane III (Navy)
- Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)
- Terrence Spence (James Madison)
- Malaki Starks (Georgia)
- Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
- Nohl Williams (California)
