Fresno State Athletics
Players Mentioned
NKL
/ Football
Harris named to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list
8/12/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY - Fresno State senior defensive back Simeon Harris picked up his second preseason watch list recognition on Wednesday, earning a spot on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association unveiled the nation's top 35 defensive backs, including Harris.
Â
The senior Bulldog is one of three defensive backs from the Pac-12 on the preseason list.
Â
Last season, Harris was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He was second on the team in tackles, but led the Mountain West and was seventh nationally in interceptions (5). He started in all 13 games, and was a key piece to a Bulldog defense that ranked 10th in the FBS in total defense.
Â
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.
Â
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
Â
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Â
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
Â
Â
Â
The senior Bulldog is one of three defensive backs from the Pac-12 on the preseason list.
Â
Last season, Harris was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He was second on the team in tackles, but led the Mountain West and was seventh nationally in interceptions (5). He started in all 13 games, and was a key piece to a Bulldog defense that ranked 10th in the FBS in total defense.
Â
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.
Â
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
Â
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Â
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
Â
Â
No videos available.