The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list which includes Big 12 defensive backs Greg Eisworth, Sr., (Iowa State), Kolby Harvell-Peel, Jr., (Oklahoma State), Trevon Moehrig, Jr., (TCU) and Caden Sterns, So. (Texas).
 
 The preseason watch list is compiled by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame based on previous performance and preseason All-America lists. A screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, monitors the watch list players and narrows the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists on the first Monday of November. This committee reconvenes on the Monday before Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. 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.
 
Three finalists are invited to attend The Home Depot College Football Awards Show Presented by Gildan, broadcast live on ESPN from Atlanta, Georgia, where the winner is announced. The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show.