Brown, Hubbard Named to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
8/12/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
The Tide duo are among 35 candidates for the award honoring the nation’s top defensive back
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football's Zabien Brown and Bray Hubbard were each selected to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced Wednesday.
Brown and Hubbard are among 35 student-athletes on the preseason list for the Thorpe. Alabama has produced two Jim Thorpe Award recipients in its history, with Antonio Langham winning in 1993 and Minkah Fitzpatrick taking home the honor in 2017.
Zabien Brown
Defensive Back, Junior
- A two-year standout at cornerback for the Crimson Tide
- Played in and started all 15 games as a sophomore
- Totaled 39 tackles, including 2.5 for loss (-4 yards), to go with a team-high tying six pass breakups and a forced fumble last season
- Added two pick-sixes of 99 and 50 yards in 2025, the first Alabama player to notch a pair of interception returns since 2021 and the first true corner to do so since 1992
Bray Hubbard
Defensive Back, Senior
- A leader for the Alabama defense and one of the top safeties in college football
- Earned All-America and All-Southeastern Conference honors as a junior
- Tied for the SEC lead and paced UA with four interceptions last season
- Also ranked third on the defense with 79 total tackles, including 4.5 for loss (-23 yards) and two sacks (-20 yards)
- Added a team-high tying six pass breakups to go with three forced fumbles and one quarterback hurry in '25
Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Thorpe, the award is given each year to the nation's top defensive back. A total of 15 semifinalists will be announced on Oct. 27 before being narrowed down to three finalists on Nov. 24. The winner of the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will then be named on Dec. 11 on ESPN as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
