OKLAHOMA CITY – Four Conference USA defensive backs were selected to the 2023 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) announced Thursday. Louisiana Tech senior DB Willie Roberts, Middle Tennessee senior S Tra Fluellen and redshirt senior DB Teldrick Ross, as well as WKU redshirt sophomore DB Upton Stout represent CUSA on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Preseason Watch List, an award presented to the nation’s best defensive back.
Roberts appeared in all 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2022, 11 of which were starts at corner and recorded 29 total tackles, a team-leading four interceptions (including one he returned for a
score), six pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Fluellen amassed a team-leading 1,095 snaps played in 13 starts at safety for MTSU in 2022 and led the team with 104 total tackles to go with four tackles for loss, two interceptions and eight pass breakups. He turned in a career-high 16 stops against Charlotte and led the Blue Raiders in tackles in five other contests, including 11 each versus UTSA and WKU and seven takedowns in the team’s easypost Hawai’i Bowl victory over San Diego State.
Ross was just one of six Blue Raiders to start all 13 games for MTSU in 2022, finishing with a career-best 77 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a program-record 20 pass breakups. The Macon, Georgia, native’s 22 passes defended ranked second in the nation and he recorded seven or more tackles in a game on six occasions, helping lead the Blue Raiders to an easypost Hawai’i Bowl victory over San Diego State.
Stout, a Freshman All-American (College Football News), appeared in all 14 games for the Hilltoppers, including 11 starts at corner during his first season in Bowling Green. The Houston, Texas, native finished his redshirt freshman campaign with 44 total stops, a half tackle for loss, four interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown) and a pair of pass breakups. Stout was a key fixture for a defense that was tied for the national lead in turnovers gained (32), and a team that finished with nine victories and a win over South Alabama in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
This list includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates
Thu., Aug. 10: Preseason Watch List Announced
Tue., Oct. 31: Semifinalists Announced
A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists.
Tue., Nov. 28: Finalists Announced
The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
Date TBD: Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards
The winner will be announced on ESPN’s live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards.
Tue., Feb. 6, 2024: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2023 Winner in Oklahoma City
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit www.oklahomasportshalloffame.org.
-ConferenceUSA.com-
