Three SEC defensive backs are still in the hunt for one of college football’s top individual honors.
Georgia’s KJ Bolden, Oklahoma’s Peyton Bowen and Kentucky’s Jordan Castell were named semifinalists for the 2026 Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday. The award, presented by Paycom, goes to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The preseason watch list began with 35 players before being cut to 15 semifinalists.
Bolden has been a steady presence for Georgia all season. The junior from Buford, GA, ranks fifth on the Bulldogs in tackles with 22 and is tied for second on the team with three passes defended. He missed Georgia’s loss to Auburn, and head coach Kirby Smart is uncertain whether he’ll be back for this weekend’s game against Florida.
Bowen has been every bit as important for Oklahoma’s defense. The senior from Corinth, TX, is second on the Sooners in tackles with 35 and leads the team with five passes defended and two interceptions. He has spent his entire college career with Oklahoma and has been with the program since 2023.
Castell has made his new home in Kentucky count immediately. The senior from Orlando, FL transferred from Florida to the Wildcats this offseason and has delivered 65 tackles, four passes defended and four interceptions.
Kentucky’s defense has thrived in turnover creation, as the Wildcats lead the SEC and Power 4 teams in turnover margin at +13. Castell’s 42-yard pick-six helped close out Kentucky’s win over Bowen and Oklahoma in 7.
The winner of the 2026 Jim Thorpe Award will be revealed on Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Braydon Hawthorne Just Gave Kentucky Fans A Real Early Question
Braydon Hawthorne gave Kentucky a useful glimpse of what he might bring in the exhibition against UCF, and it went beyond the scoring. By halftime, he had seven points and three blocked shots, while also showing the kind of confidence that stood out on a night when the Wildcats were operating without some other players. The performance suggested a freshman willing to take on responsibility early, both on the offensive end and in the flow of the game.
Hawthornes biggest moment may have come late, when Kentucky trusted him with the final out-of-bounds play. He didnt convert either look, but the fact that the Wildcats put the ball in his hands there said plenty about how quickly he is earning trust. For a team still sorting out pieces, his all-around showing gave Kentucky fans something tangible to watch as the season starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Nearly Let UCF Steal A Game The Wildcats Should've Closed
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UCF did its part to make things uncomfortable, cashing in at the stripe and even taking the lead late in regulation before Kentucky finally steadied itself in overtime. The Wildcats still finished with a 90-76 win, but the final margin did not reflect how shaky it got, or how much cleaner this one should have looked long before the extra period. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky's New-Look Team Already Has One Frustrating Problem
Kentuckys new roster got its first real tune-up Saturday night, and the result was encouraging even if it came with a reminder that exhibition games can still feel unfinished. The Wildcats outlasted UCF 90-76 in overtime, getting a strong showing from Mason Williams, who led the way with 18 points, while Malachi Moreno flashed the kind of all-around impact that can make this group interesting as the season gets rolling.
Moreno came close to a triple-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, a sign that Kentucky may have more than one player capable of shaping a game in different ways. Still, the tighter stretches and extra five minutes were a hint that theres work to do before the games count for real, and the Wildcats wont have long to sort it out with Manhattan coming to Rupp Arena on Tuesday to open the regular season. [Read more 🡒]