Mickey Tabbed to Thorpe Award Watch List
Fifth year is one of 35 defensive backs to earn national recognition
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State defensive back Jaden Mickey was tabbed to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced. The fifth year is one of 35 total players and three Pac-12 student-athletes to be featured on the watch list. The Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation’s best defensive back.
Mickey appeared in 13 games in his first season with the Broncos, starting 11. He posted 38 tackles, including 32 solo. He tied for third on the team with seven TFLs, notching a solo sack. He added five pass breakups and forced two fumbles, recovering one. He was tabbed Preseason All-Pac-12 first team by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports and landed on the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl 1000. Mickey played his first three seasons at Notre Dame, totaling 23 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown in 28 games played.
Fifteen semifinalists for the Thorpe Award will be announced on October 27, followed by the selection of three finalists on November 24. The 41st recipient of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, which airs live on ESPN on December 11. The winner will be recognized at a banquet in Oklahoma City on February 9, 2027.
Broncos on 2026 Watch Lists
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000, AFCA Good Hands Team Nominee)
RB Dylan Riley (Maxwell Award)
TE Matt Wagner (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Roger Carreon (Outland Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Daylon Metoyer (East-West Bowl 1000)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB Jaden Mickey (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB JeRico Washington Jr. (East-West Bowl 1000)
HC Spencer Danielson (Dodd Trophy)
–BroncoSports.com–
