Texas star safety Jelani McDonald has been named to the Thorpe Award Watchlist, per the University of Texas. Jelani McDonald has been named to the Thorpe Award Watch List 🤘@jelani_mcd24 x @jimthorpeaward pic.twitter.com/i61DfDWUc7 — Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 12, 2026***SIGN UP AND GET YOUR FIRST YEAR OF INSIDE TEXAS FOR $29.99***The Thorpe Award celebrates the most dominant defensive back in the country and was recently won by Jahdae Barron from Texas in 2024. Texas won back-to-back Thorpe Awards in 2005-06 with safety Michael Huff in 05 and corner Aaron Ross in 06. Semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Three finalists will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and the winner of the 2026 Jim Thorpe Award will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Dec. 11.