Jim Thorpe Award Winners 2024 Winners. Paycom jim thorpe award banquet honoring the 2024 winner in oklahoma city the official presentation of the paycom jim thorpe award takes place in. Caleb downs has been one of the top defenders in all of college football and he is a finalist for the jim thorpe award this year.

The jim thorpe award has been given annually to the nation’s top collegiate defensive back since 1986, with lsu and former big 12 member oklahoma member leading. Ohio state is only one of two big ten programs.