Oklahoma State University Athletics
Taylor a Semifinalist for Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
October 24, 2022 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II has been named one of 12 national semifinalists for the 2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, announced Monday by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association.
A senior from Oklahoma City, Taylor is one of two Big 12 players who made the semifinalist list for the award, which is awarded annually to the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Taylor, who already been honored as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this season, leads the Big 12 in solo tackles, passes defended and interceptions. He also ranks among the top 20 FBS players in each of those categories and more.
Taylor entered this season with a reputation as a big playmaker and has added to that in 2022 with a two-interception game in OSU's win over Texas and a game-sealing fourth quarter interception in the win at Baylor.
In his career, he has an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 20-18 win at Kansas State in 2020, an onside kick return for a 48-yard touchdown in the second half of a 50-44 win over Texas Tech in 2020, an 85-yard pick six in a 32-24 win at Texas in 2021, a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt in OSU's 21-20 win at Boise State in 2021 and a one-handed onside kick recovery in the closing seconds of OSU's 37-35 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.
He also had a pick six called back for a penalty away from the play in OSU's 2021 win over Tulsa. Other big plays include a diving interception against Kansas in 2021 and a strip sack at West Virginia in 2021 that caused a 26-yard loss. His three career non-offensive touchdowns are enough to rank among the national leaders among all active FBS players.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Selection Committee will reconvene on the Sunday following Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The award finalists will be announced as part of a special presentation by ESPN on November 29. The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts members of the NCFAA, an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, and sportswriters and college football journalists throughout the country.
The winner will be announced December 8 live on The Home Depot College Football Awards, and the official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held February 7 in Oklahoma City.
2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Trevon Flowers, Tennessee, Sr.
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, Jr.
Erick Hallett II, Pitt, Sr.
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, Jr.
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M, Jr.
Clark Phillips III, Utah, So.
Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State, Jr.
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State, Jr.
Bentlee Sanders, Nevada, Sr.
Christopher Smith, Georgia, Sr.
Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, Jr.
A senior from Oklahoma City, Taylor is one of two Big 12 players who made the semifinalist list for the award, which is awarded annually to the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
Taylor, who already been honored as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this season, leads the Big 12 in solo tackles, passes defended and interceptions. He also ranks among the top 20 FBS players in each of those categories and more.
Taylor entered this season with a reputation as a big playmaker and has added to that in 2022 with a two-interception game in OSU's win over Texas and a game-sealing fourth quarter interception in the win at Baylor.
In his career, he has an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 20-18 win at Kansas State in 2020, an onside kick return for a 48-yard touchdown in the second half of a 50-44 win over Texas Tech in 2020, an 85-yard pick six in a 32-24 win at Texas in 2021, a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt in OSU's 21-20 win at Boise State in 2021 and a one-handed onside kick recovery in the closing seconds of OSU's 37-35 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.
He also had a pick six called back for a penalty away from the play in OSU's 2021 win over Tulsa. Other big plays include a diving interception against Kansas in 2021 and a strip sack at West Virginia in 2021 that caused a 26-yard loss. His three career non-offensive touchdowns are enough to rank among the national leaders among all active FBS players.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Selection Committee will reconvene on the Sunday following Thanksgiving to select three award finalists. The award finalists will be announced as part of a special presentation by ESPN on November 29. The award recipient is selected from the three finalists by the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee, which boasts members of the NCFAA, an Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in-house award committee, former Paycom Jim Thorpe Award recipients, and sportswriters and college football journalists throughout the country.
The winner will be announced December 8 live on The Home Depot College Football Awards, and the official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following ESPN's live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held February 7 in Oklahoma City.
2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Trevon Flowers, Tennessee, Sr.
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, Jr.
Erick Hallett II, Pitt, Sr.
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, Jr.
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M, Jr.
Clark Phillips III, Utah, So.
Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State, Jr.
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State, Jr.
Bentlee Sanders, Nevada, Sr.
Christopher Smith, Georgia, Sr.
Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, Jr.
Players Mentioned
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