OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — UCLA defensive back Jaleel Wadood was named to The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2017 watch list on Friday.
Wadood ranked third on the team in tackles last season with 76. He posted a season-best of 15 tackles against Utah and registered five-plus stops in eight games during 2016. Wadood was a key part of a Bruin secondary which gave up a Pac-12 low 12 scoring passes last season and ranked seventh in the nation in pass efficiency defense. The senior is tied for the team lead among returning Bruin players with 31 career starts. He was selected to the second-team All-Pac-12 Conference squad as a sophomore and has twice been named an honorable mention all-conference selection in his career.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It 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 not only 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 watch list is chosen by a screening committee. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from a group of three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 7, 2017, on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Oklahoma.
Wadood ranked third on the team in tackles last season with 76. He posted a season-best of 15 tackles against Utah and registered five-plus stops in eight games during 2016. Wadood was a key part of a Bruin secondary which gave up a Pac-12 low 12 scoring passes last season and ranked seventh in the nation in pass efficiency defense. The senior is tied for the team lead among returning Bruin players with 31 career starts. He was selected to the second-team All-Pac-12 Conference squad as a sophomore and has twice been named an honorable mention all-conference selection in his career.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It 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 not only 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 watch list is chosen by a screening committee. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from a group of three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 7, 2017, on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Oklahoma.