LA Tech’s Williamson named to 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech defensive back BeeJay Williamson was named to the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List it was announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association on Monday.

This list includes 40 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added as the season progresses.

Williamson was named to the 2021 Conference USA Preseason Watch List after earning first team all-Conference USA honors by both the league and Phil Steele in 2020.

The native of Dallas, Texas, finished the 2020 season third on the team with 56 total tackles, including 32 solo, while also registering 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, three interceptions, three pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.

Williamson was an honorable mention for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Player of the Week in 2020 after he registered two interceptions against UAB (Oct. 31) and forced a fumble at the goal line to give LA Tech the game-winning possession. The sophomore defensive back registered multiple tackles in every game of the 2020 campaign.

Williamson was one of three Conference USA players to earn a spot on the watch list as he was joined by Marshall’s Steven Gilmore and UTSA’s Rashad Wisdom.

A 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 monitor the watch list players and narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists in October. 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.

The winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Other recognized National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Doak Walker Award and Walter Camp Award.

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. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.

For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit this link.

Louisiana Tech opens the 2021 season at Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 3 p.m. Tech will then open a three-game home stretch against Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. inside Joe Aillet Stadium.

Season tickets for the 2021 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.

For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow them on Twitter (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB) and Facebook (LATechFootball) or visit the official website at LATechSports.com.

THORPE AWARD WATCH LIST
Tycen Anderson, Toledo, Sr.
Sevyn Banks, Ohio State, Sr.
Jordan Battle, Alabama, Jr.
Bubba Bolden, Miami (FL), Jr.
Andrew Booth, Jr., Clemson, Jr.
Jaquan Brisker, Penn State, Sr.
Coby Bryant, Cincinnati, Sr.
Derrick Canteen, Georgia Southern, So.
Jalen Catalon, Arkansas, So.
Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville, So.
Bryce Cosby, Ball State, Sr.
Cortez Davis, Hawaii, Sr.
Greg Eisworth II, Iowa State, Sr.
Kaiir Elam, Florida, Jr.
Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati, Jr.
Steven Gilmore, Marshall, Jr.
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame, Jr.
Kolby Harvell-Peel, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Texas Christian University, Jr.
Josh Jobe, Alabama, Sr.
Quindell Johnson, Memphis, So.
Shaun Jolly, Appalachian State, Sr.
Marcus Jones, Houston, Jr.
Brandon Joseph, Northwestern, So.
Kekaula Kaniho, Boise State, Sr.
Chase Lucas, Arizona State, Sr.
Trent McDuffie, Washington, Jr.
Smoke Monday, Auburn, Sr.
Tiawan Mullen, Indiana, So.
Jerrick Reed II, New Mexico, Sr.
Eli Ricks, Louisiana State University, So.
Berdale Robins, Nevada, Sr.
Chris Steele, University of Southern California, Jr.
Derek Stingley, Jr., Louisiana State University, Jr.
D’Jordan Strong, Coastal Carolina, Sr.
Nolan Turner, Clemson, Sr.
BeeJay Williamson, Louisiana Tech, So.
Rashad Wisdom, University of Texas at San Antonio, Jr.
Samuel Womack, Toledo, Sr.
Mykael Wright, Oregon, So.

By Conference
AAC (4), ACC (4), BIG 10 (4), BIG 12 (3), C-USA (3), IND (1), MAC (3), MW (4), PAC-12 (4), SEC (7), SUN BELT (3)