Cam Thomas Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

Just days after news came down that WKU tight end Mitchell Henry was named to a preseason award watch list, he is joined by senior defensive back Cam Thomas, who was one of 39 DB’s to be named to the 2014 Jim Thorpe Award watch list yesterday morning. Given by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Jim Thorpe Award is presented to the best defensive back in college football.

Like Henry, Thomas is also primed for a strong 2014 year, after leading the Sun Belt in both total passes defended and interceptions, and was ranked top 20 in the nation in both categories as well. Thomas was named to last year’s First Team All Sun Belt squad.

Thomas has wracked up three other preseason honors, as he was named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards Defensive Back Trophy Watch List (geeze, can’t they name this after someone?) on June 30th, as well as Preseason First-Team All-Conference USA by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports (something shared with Mr. Henry).

Thomas has a bit more Conference competition than Henry does, as there are four other CUSA defensive backs who were apart of the 39-man watch list; D’Joun Smith (Florida Atlantic), Kevin Byard (MTSU), Bryce Callahan (Rice) and Triston Wade (UTSA). This is the second consecutive year a Hilltopper has been named to this honor, as now-Oakland Raider Jonathan Dowling made the 2013 Watch List.

Currently, Thomas is ranked the 10th best defensive back in the 2015 draft class, behind FAU’s Smith and others from some major conferences (although, it is interesting to see some names and schools that Thomas is in front of). You can view the whole prospect pool here.