Best Cornerbacks in College Football (Jim Thorpe Award Watch List)

The following post explores the best cornerbacks in college football (Jim Thorpe Award Watch List).

Some college football teams have an NFL-level CB capable of shutting down the other team’s best WR. These are the CBs you need to know about when betting on college football.

Read: Best Kickers in College Football

Related: Best Quarterbacks in College Football

In college football, CB is one of the most important positions on defense. Identifying the best CBs goes a long way towards finding profitable opportunities as a sports bettor.

So who are the best CBs in the country? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

The Jim Thorpe Award Watch List features the top cornerbacks in the nation heading into the new college football season.

How the Award Works

Throughout the season, the Jim Thorpe Award Committee evaluates the performance of defensive backs on the preseason watchlist. At mid-season, the committee narrows the list down to 10 semifinalists. From these semifinalists, the top three finalists are chosen.

The winner is then selected from these three finalists by a panel of college football coaches, media members, and former Jim Thorpe Award recipients.

Jim Thorpe Award Watch List (2024)

In alphabetical order by last name, here is the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List:

• Sebastian Castro – Iowa

• Caleb Downs – Ohio State

• Daylen Everette – Georgia

• Jordan Favors – App State

• Brylan Green – Liberty

• Maxwell Hairston – Kentucky

• Maxen Hook – Toledo

• Jack Howell – Colorado State

• Travis Hunter – Colorado

• Anthony Johnson Jr. – WKU

• Ethan Johnson – App State

• Donte Kent – Central Michigan

• Rayuan Lane III – Navy

• Ike Larsen – Utah State

• A’Marion McCoy – Boise State

• Donovan McMillon – Pitt

• Malachi Moore – Alabama

• Benjamin Morrison – Notre Dame

• Jabbar Muhammad – Oregon

• Seyi Oladipo – Boise State

• Jordan Oladokun – Bowling Green

• Cameron Oliver – UNLV

• Gavin Pringle – Georgia State

• Shavon Revel Jr. – East Carolina

• Quincy Riley – Louisville

• Jonas Sanker – Virginia

• Malaki Starks – Georgia

• Gabriel Taylor – Rice

• Dillon Thieneman – Purdue

• Jaden Voisin – South Alabama

• Xavier Watts – Notre Dame

• Aydan White – NC State

• Hunter Wohler – Wisconsin

Jim Thorpe Award Winners (2000 – Present)

Here are the winners from years past – notice lots of NFL names on this list.

• 2023: Trey Taylor – Air Force

• 2022: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson – TCU

• 2021: Coby Bryant – Cincinnati

• 2020: Trevon Moehrig – TCU

• 2019: Grant Delpit – LSU

• 2018: Deandre Baker – Georgia

• 2017: Minkah Fitzpatrick – Alabama

• 2016: Adoree’ Jackson – USC

• 2015: Desmond King – Iowa

• 2014: Gerod Holliman – Louisville

• 2013: Darqueze Dennard – Michigan State

• 2012: Johnthan Banks – Mississippi State

• 2011: Morris Claiborne – LSU

• 2010: Patrick Peterson – LSU

• 2009: Eric Berry – Tennessee

• 2008: Malcolm Jenkins – Ohio State

• 2007: Antoine Cason – Arizona

• 2006: Aaron Ross – Texas

• 2005: Michael Huff – Texas

• 2004: Carlos Rogers – Auburn

• 2003: Derrick Strait – Oklahoma

• 2002: Terence Newman – Kansas State

• 2001: Roy Williams – Oklahoma

• 2000: Jamar Fletcher – Wisconsin

In Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping tabs on the top cornerbacks is helpful when betting on college football. Keeping these CBs (and their teams) in mind will help you find winning bets.