Texas Tech University Athletics
Pollock named to Thorpe Award watch list
August 12, 2026 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior cornerback Brice Pollock was named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason watch list on Wednesday, announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association. The annual award is presented to the nation's best defensive back.
Pollock was one of 35 of the nation's premier defensive backs named to the 2026 preseason watch list. He was one of three Big 12 defensive backs recognized, joining TCU's Jamel Johnson and BYU's Faletau Satuala, both safeties.
Entering his second season at Texas Tech, Pollock made an immediate impact in 2025 while helping bolster a Red Raider defense that recorded the largest year-to-year improvement in both scoring defense (23.0 points per game) and total defense (203.2 yards per game) by any FBS program since 2000. At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and Associated Press All-Big 12 First Team after ranking among the national leaders in interceptions with five picks to go along with 48 tackles.
Pollock has also been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and tabbed to the Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team during the 2026 preseason.
The Thorpe watch 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. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
Following Wednesday's preseason watch list announcement, important dates to follow include the semifinalists announcement on Oct. 27. A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members will monitor all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, before narrowing the field to up to 15 semifinalists. On Nov. 24, three finalists will be revealed and submitted to a national panel of more than 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches, who will vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. The winner will be announced Dec. 11 during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will take place Feb. 9 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 celebration.
About the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/NCFAA
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented 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.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It is one of 16 NCFAA members 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:
Pollock was one of 35 of the nation's premier defensive backs named to the 2026 preseason watch list. He was one of three Big 12 defensive backs recognized, joining TCU's Jamel Johnson and BYU's Faletau Satuala, both safeties.
Entering his second season at Texas Tech, Pollock made an immediate impact in 2025 while helping bolster a Red Raider defense that recorded the largest year-to-year improvement in both scoring defense (23.0 points per game) and total defense (203.2 yards per game) by any FBS program since 2000. At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and Associated Press All-Big 12 First Team after ranking among the national leaders in interceptions with five picks to go along with 48 tackles.
Pollock has also been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and tabbed to the Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team during the 2026 preseason.
The Thorpe watch 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. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
Following Wednesday's preseason watch list announcement, important dates to follow include the semifinalists announcement on Oct. 27. A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members will monitor all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, before narrowing the field to up to 15 semifinalists. On Nov. 24, three finalists will be revealed and submitted to a national panel of more than 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches, who will vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. The winner will be announced Dec. 11 during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will take place Feb. 9 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 celebration.
About the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/NCFAA
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented 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.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It is one of 16 NCFAA members 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:
- 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
Players Mentioned
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