Jim Thorpe Award 2024. The jim thorpe award announced its 2024 preseason watch list wednesday which included the best defensive backs to watch this year. Spence is jmu's first semifinalist for the thorpe award in school history and the only sun belt conference defensive back to make the list.

The paycom jim thorpe award has been awarded to the best defensive back in college football since 1986. 2024 paycom jim thorpe award finalists.