Jack Tchienchou Named to 2026 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
Aug 12, 2026 | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Tulane senior defensive back Jack Tchienchou was recently named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association announced on Wednesday
The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
The full list consists of 35 of the best defensive backs in the country. Tchienchou is one of only three from American named to the watch list this season. All 10 FBS conferences as well as a football independent are represented on the list.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded 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.
Tchienchou played and started all 14 games last season at safety for Tulane. He led the team in tackles (83), while totaling 2.5 stops for loss, a sack, two interceptions, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. Tchienchou was a First Team American All-Conference selection in a vote of the league's coaches last season and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 American Conference Championship Game.
2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
KJ Boden – Georgia
Austin Brawley – New Mexico
Zabien Brown – Alabama
Mario Easterly – Old Dominion
Tre'Quon Fegans – Jacksonville State
Amare Ferrell – Indiana
Brandon Finney Jr. – Oregon
Bryce Fitzgerald – Miami
Chance Gamble – Georgia Southern
Brent Gordon Jr. – Louisiana
Elijah Green – Tulsa
Brevin Hamblin – Utah State
Ashton Hampton – Clemson
Simeon Harris – Fresno State
Jyaire Hill – Michigan
Bray Hubbard – Alabama
Jamel Johnson – TCU
Kelley Jones – Mississippi State
Roger Jones Jr. – Air Force
Earl Little Jr. – Ohio State
Jelani McDonald – Texas
Jaden Mickey – Boise State
Leonard Moore – Notre Dame
Caleb Nix – Jacksonville State
Chris Peal – Syracuse
Koi Perich – Oregon
Brice Pollock – Texas Tech
Ellis Robinson IV – Georgia
Faletau Satuala – BYU
KT Seay – Delaware
Daytione Smith – Marshall
Shamir Sterlin – FIU
Jack Tchienchou – Tulane
DJ Walker – Ohio
Zach Williams – Tulsa
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates
Thu., Aug. 12: Preseason Watch List Announced
Tue., Oct. 27: Semifinalists Announced
A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists.
Tue., Nov. 24: Finalists Announced
The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players, and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
Fri., Dec. 11: Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards
The winner will be announced on ESPN's live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award, and others.
Tue., Feb. 9, 2027: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2023 Winner in Oklahoma City
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
About Paycom
Paycom Software, Inc. ("Paycom") (NYSE: PAYC), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame jointly announced in May 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named the "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award."
The Jim Thorpe Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters, and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards, and its annual All-America team.
____________________________________________________________________________________
About Tulane Football
The Green Wave finished the 2025 season ranked No. 18 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls. This marked only the second time in four seasons, the third since 1998, and the fourth since 1970 that the program has finished a season nationally ranked.
Tulane won the American Conference Championship, securing its second conference title in four years. With an 11-3 record, it earned its first-ever playoff appearance in school history against Ole Miss. Notably, Tulane became the first team from Louisiana to make the College Football Playoff (CFP) in the 12-team format, qualifying as the fourth-highest ranked conference champion.
The 2025 season featured 11 wins in 14 games, including two victories over Power 4 opponents—the first time since 1988. The win over North Texas (34-21) secured Tulane's second conference title in four years.
The team earned 13 All-Conference selections, including the Special Teams Player of the Year. The team's returning All-Conference players for the 2026 season includes Jack Tchienchou (safety – 1st team), TJ Smith (return specialist – 3rd team), and Jason Arredondo (designated snapper –3rd team)
Over the past four seasons, Tulane's record stands at 43-13.
2026 Tulane Football Schedule
Saturday, September 5 – at Duke – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 – vs. South Alabama – 6 p.m.
Saturday, September 19 – at Kansas State – 11 a.m.
Saturday, September 26 – vs. Southern Miss (Hall of Fame)
Saturday, October 10 – at Army – 11 a.m.
Friday, October 16 – vs. Memphis – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 – vs. UTSA
Friday, October 30 – at Charlotte – 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 7 – vs Tulsa (Homecoming)
Saturday, November 14 – at Rice
Saturday, November 21 – vs. North Texas
Friday or Saturday, November 27 or November 28 – at South Florida
Bold = Home Games
TICKETS
Tickets for the upcoming volleyball and football seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Green Wave Club
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting greenwaveclub.com.
- TulaneGreenWave -
The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
The full list consists of 35 of the best defensive backs in the country. Tchienchou is one of only three from American named to the watch list this season. All 10 FBS conferences as well as a football independent are represented on the list.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded 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.
Tchienchou played and started all 14 games last season at safety for Tulane. He led the team in tackles (83), while totaling 2.5 stops for loss, a sack, two interceptions, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. Tchienchou was a First Team American All-Conference selection in a vote of the league's coaches last season and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 American Conference Championship Game.
2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
KJ Boden – Georgia
Austin Brawley – New Mexico
Zabien Brown – Alabama
Mario Easterly – Old Dominion
Tre'Quon Fegans – Jacksonville State
Amare Ferrell – Indiana
Brandon Finney Jr. – Oregon
Bryce Fitzgerald – Miami
Chance Gamble – Georgia Southern
Brent Gordon Jr. – Louisiana
Elijah Green – Tulsa
Brevin Hamblin – Utah State
Ashton Hampton – Clemson
Simeon Harris – Fresno State
Jyaire Hill – Michigan
Bray Hubbard – Alabama
Jamel Johnson – TCU
Kelley Jones – Mississippi State
Roger Jones Jr. – Air Force
Earl Little Jr. – Ohio State
Jelani McDonald – Texas
Jaden Mickey – Boise State
Leonard Moore – Notre Dame
Caleb Nix – Jacksonville State
Chris Peal – Syracuse
Koi Perich – Oregon
Brice Pollock – Texas Tech
Ellis Robinson IV – Georgia
Faletau Satuala – BYU
KT Seay – Delaware
Daytione Smith – Marshall
Shamir Sterlin – FIU
Jack Tchienchou – Tulane
DJ Walker – Ohio
Zach Williams – Tulsa
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates
Thu., Aug. 12: Preseason Watch List Announced
Tue., Oct. 27: Semifinalists Announced
A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists.
Tue., Nov. 24: Finalists Announced
The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players, and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.
Fri., Dec. 11: Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards
The winner will be announced on ESPN's live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award, and others.
Tue., Feb. 9, 2027: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2023 Winner in Oklahoma City
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.
About Paycom
Paycom Software, Inc. ("Paycom") (NYSE: PAYC), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame jointly announced in May 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named the "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award."
The Jim Thorpe Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters, and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards, and its annual All-America team.
____________________________________________________________________________________
About Tulane Football
The Green Wave finished the 2025 season ranked No. 18 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls. This marked only the second time in four seasons, the third since 1998, and the fourth since 1970 that the program has finished a season nationally ranked.
Tulane won the American Conference Championship, securing its second conference title in four years. With an 11-3 record, it earned its first-ever playoff appearance in school history against Ole Miss. Notably, Tulane became the first team from Louisiana to make the College Football Playoff (CFP) in the 12-team format, qualifying as the fourth-highest ranked conference champion.
The 2025 season featured 11 wins in 14 games, including two victories over Power 4 opponents—the first time since 1988. The win over North Texas (34-21) secured Tulane's second conference title in four years.
The team earned 13 All-Conference selections, including the Special Teams Player of the Year. The team's returning All-Conference players for the 2026 season includes Jack Tchienchou (safety – 1st team), TJ Smith (return specialist – 3rd team), and Jason Arredondo (designated snapper –3rd team)
Over the past four seasons, Tulane's record stands at 43-13.
2026 Tulane Football Schedule
Saturday, September 5 – at Duke – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 – vs. South Alabama – 6 p.m.
Saturday, September 19 – at Kansas State – 11 a.m.
Saturday, September 26 – vs. Southern Miss (Hall of Fame)
Saturday, October 10 – at Army – 11 a.m.
Friday, October 16 – vs. Memphis – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 – vs. UTSA
Friday, October 30 – at Charlotte – 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 7 – vs Tulsa (Homecoming)
Saturday, November 14 – at Rice
Saturday, November 21 – vs. North Texas
Friday or Saturday, November 27 or November 28 – at South Florida
Bold = Home Games
TICKETS
Tickets for the upcoming volleyball and football seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Green Wave Club
Giving to the Green Wave Club provides Tulane Athletics with the resources student‑athletes need to excel in competition and in the classroom. Your support directly improves the lives of current and future Green Wave student‑athletes and enhances Tulane's competitiveness in intercollegiate athletics. Make a gift today by calling (504) 865‑5356, emailing greenwaveclub@tulane.edu, or visiting greenwaveclub.com.
- TulaneGreenWave -
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, August 05
Wednesday, August 05
Wednesday, August 05
Thursday, July 30
