Fitzgerald Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami sophomore defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald was named to the preseason watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back, the award recognizes performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Fitzgerald established himself as one of the country’s premier young defensive backs during a standout freshman campaign in 2025. The Miami native tied for second among all FBS players with six interceptions and earned Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
The Christopher Columbus High School product appeared in all 16 games and made four starts, totaling 16 tackles, eight passes defended, one tackle for loss and one sack.
Fitzgerald delivered one of his biggest performances in Miami’s College Football Playoff victory at Texas A&M, recording the first two-interception game of his career. His second takeaway came with less than two minutes remaining and helped seal the Hurricanes’ first College Football Playoff win.
Established in 1986, the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is named after legendary multi-sport athlete Jim Thorpe. A screening committee will evaluate defensive backs throughout the season before selecting the award’s semifinalists and three finalists.
Miami opens the 2026 season Sept. 4 at Stanford. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
