SEC Defensive Talent Recognized
Top SEC Defensive Backs Named to Prestigious 2026 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Key Points
Alabama cornerback Brown recorded two interceptions returned for touchdowns (99 and 50 yards) in 2025, finishing with 39 tackles, 2.5 TFL, six pass breakups and a forced fumble, making him the first Alabama player with two pick-sixes in a season since 2021 and the first true Tide cornerback to accomplish the feat since 1992.
Alabama safety Hubbard tied for the SEC lead with four interceptions in 2025, adding 79 tackles, 4.5 TFL and two sacks, and he also ranked among the team leaders with six pass breakups.
Georgia is represented by two players on the 2026 Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list, joining Alabama as the SEC programs with multiple contenders; six SEC players overall are listed from four programs (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Texas).
Mississippi State’s Kelley Jones is a 6-4, 195-pound redshirt sophomore who last year posted 34 tackles, 11 passes defensed and 2 interceptions; he earned Third Team All-SEC by coaches, First Team All-SEC by PFSN, and Fourth Team All-SEC by Phil Steele.
FIU safety Sterlin had 65 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups in 2025; he has earned preseason recognition including Athlon Sports' First Team and selection to the C-USA Freshman of the Week list, underscoring his status as a top defensive back prospect entering 2026.
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame has released the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list, naming 35 of the nation's top defensive backs as candidates for college football's premier DB honor, according to Street Insider. The SEC leads the way with six players from four programs — Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Texas — making the conference the strongest represented on the list.
The list will be trimmed to semifinalists mid-season. A final winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN in December.
Alabama's Brown and Hubbard Lead SEC Contenders
Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown enters his junior season as one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the country. Roll Tide Wire reports he finished 2025 with 39 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns — one for 99 yards and one for 50. He became the first Alabama player with two pick-sixes in a season since 2021 and the first true Tide cornerback to do it since 1992.
Safety Bray Hubbard backs him up with equal firepower. Patch notes Hubbard tied for the SEC lead with four interceptions in 2025. He also added 79 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and six pass breakups. Those numbers put him among Alabama's team leaders on defense heading into 2026.
Mississippi State's Kelley Jones Earns National Spotlight
Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones is one of the more physically imposing prospects on the list. The redshirt sophomore stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 195 pounds. According to 247Sports, Jones posted 34 tackles, 11 passes defensed, and two interceptions last season. He earned Third Team All-SEC recognition from coaches and First Team All-SEC honors from PFSN.
Jones is part of a recent run of strong cornerback production at Mississippi State. His size and instincts make him a rising pro prospect. His placement on the watch list signals that he is viewed as one of the top corners in the country heading into the 2026 season.
FIU's Sterlin and Oregon's Duo Make Waves Outside Power Conferences
FIU safety Sterlin is one of the most impressive non-Power Four names on the list. He recorded 65 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups in 2025. He earned Athlon Sports' First Team preseason honors and was named to the Conference USA Freshman of the Week list, showing his impact from the very start of his college career.
Oregon also grabbed attention with two players on the list. NBC16 reports that Brandon Finney Jr. and Koi Perich both earned spots, giving the Ducks a pair of highly regarded defensive backs on the national stage. Their inclusion shows the watch list reaches well beyond the SEC's borders.
What the Watch List Means for College Football's DB Landscape
The Jim Thorpe Award is given each year to the nation's best defensive back. Making the preseason watch list does not guarantee a player wins — or even becomes a finalist. But it does signal that a player is considered among the elite at their position entering the season.
The 2026 list mixes proven veterans with emerging breakout players. With 35 names across multiple conferences, the race will tighten fast once the season begins. Semifinalists will be named mid-season before one player claims the award in December at the ESPN ceremony.
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