Chambana Sun

Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott has been named to the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list, according to an announcement by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association. The list includes 35 of the top defensive backs in college football for the upcoming season.

Scott is one of three players returning to the watch list after being a semifinalist for the award last season, along with Caleb Downs from Ohio State and Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. He was also named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list earlier this week.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recognizes the best defensive back in college football each year, considering performance, athletic ability, and character. Established in 1986, it honors Jim Thorpe, who was known for his versatility as a running back, passer, kicker, and defensive back. Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in both the decathlon and pentathlon. The award is widely regarded as one of college sports' top honors.

Previous recipients include Jahdae Barron (Texas) in 2024, Trey Taylor (Air Force) in 2023, and Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (TCU) in 2022.

Scott's recent achievements include being named to several preseason All-America and All-Big Ten teams by Athlon and Phil Steele. He is ranked No. 139 overall among college football players according to CBS.com's spring rankings. In the 2024 season, Scott started all 13 games at defensive back for Illinois, recording 49 tackles (43 solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, four interceptions—tying him for second in the Big Ten—and six pass breakups. He led Big Ten cornerbacks in snaps played with 792 and received high grades from Pro Football Focus: No. 3-ranked cornerback overall (82.3) and No. 4 tackling grade among cornerbacks (85.1). Notably, he achieved his first career pick six and two-interception game during Illinois’ win over Kansas on September 7.

Other Illinois players featured on preseason award watch lists as of July 30 are Luke Altmyer (Maxwell Award), J.C. Davis (Outland Trophy), and Gabe Jacas (Lott IMPACT Trophy; Bronko Nagurski Trophy).

"Scott, who was also named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list on Tuesday, is listed among 35 of the nation's top defensive backs entering the 2025 campaign. He is one of three standouts on the watch list to return after being selected as a semifinalist for the prestigious Thorpe Award last season, along with Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee)."

"The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is presented to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer, and kicker on the offensive side of the ball but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors."

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