OKLAHOMA CITY (JMU Athletics) – James Madison senior Jacob Thomas was recognized on the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association on Wednesday afternoon.

This list includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs entering the 2025 season, hailing from nine different conferences, including three from the Sun Belt Conference. Last season, the Dukes produced the program’s first Thorpe semifinalists in cornerback Terrence Spence.

Thomas, a two-year starter at safety, captured Second Team All-Sun Belt and All-State honors in 2024 after posting a single-season career high 72 total tackles to go with 8.0 tackles for loss, a half sack, three interceptions and three pass breakups.

This is the first major award watch list the Ashburn, Va., product has been named to, as it adds to his First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt nod from a week ago.

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.

Thomas was accompanied on the preseason watch list by fellow Sun Belt athletes Chance Gamble of Georgia Southern and Tyree Skipper of Louisiana.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 28, while finalists will be unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The winner of the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.

JMU begins its 2025 slate on Saturday, Aug. 30, when it hosts Weber State at Bridgeforth Stadium with a scheduled kickoff time of 6 p.m. on the JMU Radio Network (92.7 FM | 550 AM).

— JMU Athletics —