Chambana Sun

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott has been recognized as a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, according to an announcement by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association. This award is given annually to the nation's top defensive back, and Scott is among 15 players competing for this honor.

Throughout the season, Scott has contributed significantly to Illinois' success, helping them achieve a 6-2 record and maintain an AP Top 25 ranking for seven consecutive weeks. His performance includes being tied for third in the Big Ten in interceptions, along with accumulating 29 tackles, two tackles for loss (TFLs), one sack, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Scott's skills have earned him high ratings from Pro Football Focus (PFF), where he ranks as the fourth-best cornerback in the Big Ten and nineteenth overall in Power-4 conferences with a grade of 80.9. He is also noted as the top-rated tackler among Power-4 cornerbacks and second nationally with a grade of 90.9.

Joining Scott on the list of semifinalists are three other Big Ten defensive backs: Caleb Downs from Ohio State, Will Johnson from Michigan, and Jabbar Muhammad from Oregon. Notably, last year Illinois' Devon Witherspoon was a finalist for this prestigious award.

The list of semifinalists includes players such as Jahdae Barron from Texas, Jalen Catalon from UNLV, Tacario Davis from Arizona, Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina, Travis Hunter from Colorado, Rayuan Lane III from Navy, Jermod McCoy from Tennessee, Terrence Spence from James Madison, Malaki Starks from Georgia, Xavier Watts from Notre Dame, and Nohl Williams from California.

The selection process will continue when the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Committee meets on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to choose three finalists. These finalists will be announced during a special ESPN presentation on November 26th.

The recipient of this award will be determined by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee. This committee comprises members of various organizations including former recipients of the award and sports journalists nationwide.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which was established in 1997. The NCFAA oversees some of college football's most esteemed awards and honors numerous players each season through its various programs.

For further details about these awards or to follow updates on social media platforms like X (@NCFAA), interested parties can visit NCFAA.org.