Group of Five players on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list

Jim Thorpe Award watch list:

Top defensive back in the nation.

• Tony Annese, Central Michigan: 74 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 3 INT, 10 pbu, 2 fumble recoveries.
• Nate Holley, Kent State: 137 tackles, 4 tfl, 2 pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles. 
• Randall Jette, Massachusetts: 67 tackles, 0.5 tfl, 4 INT, 14 pbu, 18 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble. 
• Paris Logan, Northern Illinois: 42 tackles, 1 INT, 7 pbu, 8 pd, 1 forced fumble. 
• Adairius Barnes, Louisiana Tech: 46 tackles, 4 tfl, 5 INT, 9 pbu, 14 pd. 
• Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech: 71 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 1 sack, 6 INT, 7 pbu, 13 pd, 1 QB hit, 3 forced fumbles, 1 blocked kick, 2 defensive touchdowns. 
• Kevin Byard, MTSU: 66 tackles, 3 tfl, 6 INT, 4 pbu, 2 forced fumbles, 1 blocked kick. 
• Richard Leonard, FIU: 40 tackles, 1 tfl, 5 INT, 7 pbu, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, 2 defensive touchdowns. 
• Donte Deayon, Boise State: 46 tackles, 2 tfl, 1 sack, 6 INT, 9 pbu, 15 pd, 1 forced fumble, 2 defensive touchdowns. 
• Darian Thompson, Boise State: 71 tackles, 5 tfl, 7 INT, 1 pbu, 8 pd, 1 defensive touchdown. 
• Damontae Kazee, San Diego State: 52 tackles, 3 tfl, 1 INT, 13 pbu, 2 QB hits, 1 fumble recovery. 
• JJ Whittaker, San Diego State: 58 tackles, 2 tfl, 2 INT, 6 pbu. 
• Weston Steelhammer, Air Force: 61 tackles, 6 tfl, 3 sacks, 6 INT, 2 pbu, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 safety. 
• Trent Matthews, Colorado State: 54 tackles, 1 tfl, 3 INT, 8 pbu, 11 pd, 2 blocked kicks. 
• William Jackson, Houston: 37 tackles, 1.5 tfl, 2 INT, 10 pbu, 12 pd, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble. 
• Adrian McDonald, Houston: 75 tackles, 0.5 tfl, 5 INT, 2 pbu, 7 pd, 3 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles, 1 defensive touchdown. 
• Parry Nickerson, Tulane: 51 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 6 INT, 6 pbu, 12 pd, 1 fumble recovery. 
• Montres Kitchens, Troy: 88 tackles, 1 tfl, 6 INT, 1 pbu, 7 pd, 1 defensive touchdown.
• Mitch Lane, ULM: 91 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 3 INT, 4 pbu, 7 pd, 1 defensive touchdown.
• Doug Middleton, Appalachian State: 74 tackles, 6 tfl, 0.5 sacks, 4 INT, 6 pbu, 10 pd, 1 defensive touchdown.
• David Mims II, Texas State: 48 tackles, 3.5 tfl, 5 INT, 3 pbu, 8 pd, 1 defensive touchdown.