In my arrogant opinion, what comes first in football is a good secondary.
Actually, you should probably have a good QB, a great offensive line and a stout defensive line first, but I really wanted to say “what comes first is a good secondary.” Listen, it’s not easy being on The Watch List Watch. All I do is wait for the watch lists to come out, strip all the P5 names from it, then post it here on Forgotten5 like I’m a weird reverse Hunter S. Thompson. Let me have one bit of ham fisted word play, okay?
As our custom, we are concerned only with the Forgotten and not with the P5 who are (rumor has it) also represented on these lists.
Jim Thorpe Award
Since 1986, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (of which I’m not a member) has presented the Thorpe to the nation’s top collegiate defensive back. Last year’s luck winner: Adoree’ Jackson from USC. The last Forgotten? Greg Myers from Colorado State, waaaaaaaaaay back in 1995. We’re due.
Brandon Addison, Old Dominion
Joe Brown, WKU
Andre Chachere, San Jose State
Sean Chandler, Temple
Justin Clifton, Arkansas State
Amari Coleman, Central Michigan
Clifton Duck, Appalachian State
Shawun Lurry, NIU
Kishawn McClain, North Texas
Deatrick Nichols, USF
Parry Nickerson, Tulane
Jeremy Reaves, South Alabama
Andrew Wingard, Wyoming
Jalen Young, Florida Atlantic
About 31% of the 45-member Thorpe list is comprised of “Grade A” G5 talent. We haven’t won the damn thing in over two decades, tho.
Up Next, July 17: the Butkus Award (Presented to the nation’s best linebacker) and the Paul Hornug Award (Presented to the most versatile player in college football)
Watch List Watch takes a weekend hiatus, but returns strong on Monday