Jason Taylor II Left Off Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

STILLWATER – Let me just start this article by saying I understand preseason watch lists don’t mean a whole heck of a lot except for adding a little preseason hype from the program when talking about a player.

With that being said, I do think it’s a little ridiculous Jason Taylor II wasn’t included on the preseason Jim Thorpe Award watch list, an award given to the top defensive back in college football. The award is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Award Association, both of which preside an hour south of Stillwater.

This past season as a redshirt junior, Taylor II recorded 48 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one for an 85-yards touchdown against Texas, and four pass break ups. While it doesn’t count towards his defensive stats, he also blocked a field goal, which is just impressive.

Taylor II played behind Tre Sterling, who had a chance to compete for the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award before breaking his wrist against Tulsa. He also in barely played in blowouts against Kansas and TCU this past season. Had he played nearly every defensive snap against those three teams, he more than likely would’ve cleared 60+ total tackles, had at least one more interception and a few more pass breakups.  

There are some really good players on this list, including Alabama’s Jordan Battle and Ohio State’s Denzel Burke, as well as three Big 12 DBs, including Kansas State senior Julius Brents, TCU senior Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Kansas senior Kenny Logan Jr. So, I’m not saying any of the players listed aren’t deserving.

However, Taylor II returns as one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12 in 2022 and, just like my opinion on Tre Sterling going into the 2021 season, will have a chance to play for the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Again, it doesn’t matter where you start the season, it’s where you finish, and I fully believe Jason Taylor II will be in the mix to win this award down the stretch of the season.