The accolades continue to roll in for Tulane Green Wave defensive standout Jack Tchienchou, as he's now a preseason candidate for one of the top honors in collegiate football. On Wednesday, Tchienchou was one of 35 players named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Trophy Preseason Watch List, according to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association. This award was established in 1986 in honor of Thorpe, and it recognizes the best defensive back in all of college football, with emphasis placed on a player's in-game performance and overall character. Only three players from the American Conference were named to the preseason watch list, with Elijah Green and Zach Williams of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane also making the cut. All three will look to be named one of 15 semifinalists on October 27th, and later on ust one of three finalists on November 24th. Tchienchou is looking to put together another incredible season after being one of the Green Wave's top overall players in 2025. The senior safety recorded a team-high 83 tackles in 14 games played with 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, three pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He would go on to be named the 2025 American Conference Championship Game's Most Outstanding Player and a First Team American All-Conference selection. Here's a look at the full list of student-athletes to make the Jim Thorpe Trophy Preseason Watch List. A few additional players could be named semifinalists or finalists later in the year.KJ Boden, Georgia BulldogsAustin Brawley, New Mexico LobosZabien Brown, Alabama Crimson TideMario Easterly, Old Dominion MonarchsTre'Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State GamecocksAmare Ferrell, Indiana HoosiersBrandon Finney Jr., Oregon DucksBryce Fitzgerald, Miami HurricanesChance Gamble, Georgia Southern EaglesBrent Gordon Jr., Louisiana Ragin' CajunsElijah Green, Tulsa Golden HurricaneBrevin Hamblin, Utah State Aggies Ashton Hampton, Clemson TigersSimeon Harris, Fresno State BulldogsJyaire Hill, Michigan Wolverines Bray Hubbard, Alabama Crimson TideJamel Johnson, TCU Horned FrogsKelley Jones, Mississippi State BulldogsRoger Jones Jr., Air Force FalconsEarl Little Jr., Ohio State BuckeyesJelani McDonald, Texas LonghornsJaden Mickey, Boise State BroncosLeonard Moore, Notre Dame Fighting IrishCaleb Nix, Jacksonville State GamecocksChris Peal, Syracuse Orange Koi Perich, Oregon DucksBrice Pollock, Texas Tech Red RaidersEllis Robinson IV, Georgia BulldogsFaletau Satuala, BYU Cougars KT Seay, Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Daytione Smith, Marshall Thundering HerdShamir Sterlin, Florida International PanthersJack Tchienchou, Tulane Green WaveDJ Walker, Ohio BobcatsZach Williams, Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Source: Yahoo Sports