TicketsCINCINNATI – Redshirt junior Antwan Peek Jr. was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award on Tuesday.
Peek is one of two Big 12 players to be named a semifinalists, joining TCU’s Jamel Johnson.
Peek has totaled 28 tackles this season as well as two tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He grades out as one of the top safeties in the nation according to Pro Football Focus, as his overall grade of 90.0 ranks fourth in the country at his position group.
Peek has stood tall during critical moments this season, including forcing a fumble in the fourth quarter at Kansas that saved a touchdown and making a 4th-and-1 stop at Oklahoma State that led to a UC scoring drive.
A former walk-on, Peek appeared in 11 games last year and made six starts. He ranked third on the team with 56 tackles and logged four forced fumbles.
The list of 15 semifinalists will be pared down to three finalists on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. The winner will be announced on Friday, Dec. 12 during ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards show.
In 2021, former Bearcat Coby Bryant won the Jim Thorpe Award, becoming the second player in program history to win a major national award. He joined 2000 Lou Groza Award winner Jonathan Ruffin.
2025 PAYCOM JIM THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Mansoor Delane, Cornerback, LSU, Sr.
Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State, Jr.
Bishop Fitzgerald, Safety, USC, Sr.
Elijah Green, Cornerback, Tulsa, So.
Colton Hood, Cornerback, Tennessee, So.
Chris Johnson, Cornerback, San Diego State, Sr.
Jamel Johnson, Safety, TCU, Jr.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Safety, Toledo, Sr.
Leonard Moore, Cornerback, Notre Dame, So.
Antwan Peek Jr., Safety, Cincinnati, Jr.
D’Angelo Ponds, Cornerback, Indiana, Jr.
Keionte Scott, Cornerback, Miami, Sr.
Michael Taaffe, Safety, Texas, Sr.
Avieon Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson, Jr.
Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon, Jr.
ABOUT THE JIM THORPE AWARD
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports honors.