Dantzler Tabbed to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
July 22, 2019 | Football
by Taylor Shirey, Assistant Director/Communications
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Preseason accolades continue to roll in for Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler as the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced the cornerback to the 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List on Monday.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award annually recognizes the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. It is considered one of the most coveted awards in college football.
Dantzler was one of 46 defensive backs to be named an early candidate for the award and was one of just five Southeastern Conference players to make the list. Earlier this month, Dantzler was named to the 2019 Bednarik Award Watch List, which is awarded to the top defensive player in college football.
A preseason All-American, Dantzler is arguably the top returning SEC cornerback this year. He ranked second in the conference last season among corners with a 41.1 passer rating allowed, according to Pro Football Focus, and was one of only four SEC cornerbacks that did not allow a touchdown (min. 345 coverage snaps played). The Louisiana product also had a pair of interceptions and led the Bulldogs in passes defended (11).
Dantzler enters his junior season with 68 career tackles, including four for loss and a sack. He has added three interceptions and 15 passes defended.
The 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by Gildan on Dec. 12 on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held on Feb. 4, 2020, in Oklahoma City.
State opens preseason camp on Aug. 2 in preparation for the Aug. 31 season-opener against Louisiana in New Orleans. Tickets for the 2019 season and opener can be purchased at HailState.com/Tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
Mississippi State on 2019 Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award
Kylin Hill, Jr., RB
Bednarik Award
Cameron Dantzler, Jr., CB
Erroll Thompson, Jr., LB
Doak Walker Award
Kylin Hill, Jr., RB
Rimington Trophy
Darryl Williams, Sr., C
John Mackey Award
Farrod Green, Sr., TE
Jim Thorpe Award
Cameron Dantzler, Jr., CB
2019 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Preseason accolades continue to roll in for Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler as the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced the cornerback to the 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List on Monday.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award annually recognizes the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. It is considered one of the most coveted awards in college football.
Dantzler was one of 46 defensive backs to be named an early candidate for the award and was one of just five Southeastern Conference players to make the list. Earlier this month, Dantzler was named to the 2019 Bednarik Award Watch List, which is awarded to the top defensive player in college football.
A preseason All-American, Dantzler is arguably the top returning SEC cornerback this year. He ranked second in the conference last season among corners with a 41.1 passer rating allowed, according to Pro Football Focus, and was one of only four SEC cornerbacks that did not allow a touchdown (min. 345 coverage snaps played). The Louisiana product also had a pair of interceptions and led the Bulldogs in passes defended (11).
Dantzler enters his junior season with 68 career tackles, including four for loss and a sack. He has added three interceptions and 15 passes defended.
The 2019 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by Gildan on Dec. 12 on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held on Feb. 4, 2020, in Oklahoma City.
State opens preseason camp on Aug. 2 in preparation for the Aug. 31 season-opener against Louisiana in New Orleans. Tickets for the 2019 season and opener can be purchased at HailState.com/Tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
Mississippi State on 2019 Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award
Kylin Hill, Jr., RB
Bednarik Award
Cameron Dantzler, Jr., CB
Erroll Thompson, Jr., LB
Doak Walker Award
Kylin Hill, Jr., RB
Rimington Trophy
Darryl Williams, Sr., C
John Mackey Award
Farrod Green, Sr., TE
Jim Thorpe Award
Cameron Dantzler, Jr., CB
2019 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
| Name | Class | School |
| Paulson Adebo | So. | Stanford |
| Trajan Bandy | Jr. | Miami |
| Essang Bassey | Sr. | Wake Forest |
| Julian Blackmon | Sr. | Utah |
| Reed Blankenship | Sr. | Middle Tennessee |
| Monquavion Brinson | Sr. | Georgia Southern |
| Jaron Bryant | Sr. | Fresno State |
| Myles Bryant | Sr. | Washington |
| Vince Calhoun | Sr. | Eastern Michigan |
| TJ Carter | Jr. | Memphis |
| Andre Cisco | So. | Syracuse |
| Cameron Dantzler | Jr. | Mississippi State |
| Alvin Davis Jr. | Sr. | Akron |
| Grant Delpit | Jr. | LSU |
| Greg Eisworth | Jr. | Iowa State |
| Desmond Franklin | Sr. | Appalachian State |
| Jordan Fuller | Sr. | Ohio State |
| Alohi Gilman | Sr. | Notre Dame |
| Jeff Gladney | Sr. | TCU |
| Richie Grant | Jr. | UCF |
| AJ Green | Sr. | Oklahoma State |
| Javon Hagan | Sr. | Ohio |
| Bryce Hall | Sr. | Virginia |
| Mike Hampton | Jr. | USF |
| Brontae Harris | Jr. | UAB |
| Ky'el Hemby | Jr. | Southern Mississippi |
| CJ Henderson | Jr. | Florida |
| Lavert Hill | Sr. | Michigan |
| Jamal Hudson | Jr. | Ohio |
| Juju Hughes | Sr. | Fresno State |
| Chris Jackson | Sr. | Marshall |
| Darreon Jackson | Sr. | Arkansas State |
| Jerry Jacobs | Jr. | Arkansas State |
| Jaylon Johnson | Jr. | Utah |
| Kevin McGill | Sr. | Eastern Michigan |
| Xavier McKinney | Jr. | Alabama |
| Josh Metellus | Sr. | Michigan |
| JR Reed | Sr. | Georgia |
| Amik Robertson | Jr. | Louisiana Tech |
| Josiah Scott | Jr. | Michigan State |
| Caden Sterns | So. | Texas |
| Josh Thomas | Sr. | Appalachian State |
| Tariq Thompson | Jr. | San Diego State |
| Kindle Vildor | Sr. | Georgia Southern |
| James Wiggins | Jr. | Cincinnati |
| DJ Williams | Sr. | Utah State |
Players Mentioned
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