Kansas senior cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) waits for the next play during Friday's Spring Preview at Rock Chalk Park. © Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

2024 Kansas Jayhawks Football Awards Tracker: Thorpe Award

Originally posted on Kansas Jayhawks on SI
By Mathey Gibson | Last updated Jul 31, 2024 12:37 PM ET

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association have announced the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, featuring Kansas senior cornerback Cobee Bryant for the second consecutive season.

This marks the second preseason watch list recognition for Bryant in the past two days, following his inclusion in the Bronko Nagurski Award list on Wednesday.

A two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, Bryant has made a significant impact at Kansas. He is tied for eighth in school history with nine interceptions and shares the school record with two career interceptions returned for touchdowns. The Evergreen, Alabama native has also been named a preseason All-Big 12 selection.

The preseason watch list is determined by a screening committee that compiles a list of up to 50 players based on previous performances in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists.

Bryant, considered one of the best cornerbacks in college football, will look to lead a Kansas defense aiming for a significant improvement in 2024. A standout season could also yield dividends with a high draft selection in 2025.

In addition to Bryant, several other Kansas players have been recognized on preseason watch lists for their respective positions. Quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal have been named to the Maxwell Award watch list, long snapper Luke Hosford is on the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list, and Bryant also appears on the Bronko Nagurski Award list.