University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Football’s Seay Named to 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist
8/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY – University of Delaware football S KT Seay has been named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association announced Wednesday. Seay is the first player in program history to make the Jim Thorpe Award Watchlist.
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.
This preseason, the senior safety has been named to the CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, and Pro Football Network All-CUSA Second Team.
Seay, a 2025 First Team All-CUSA selection, played and started all 13 games as a junior at safety. He followed up a stellar 2024 season by tying for the sixth-most INTs in CUSA (3) and finishing with the 11th-most tackles (91). Seay collected the most solo tackles on the squad with 62. His 2025 season was highlighted by a career-high 13 tackles against UConn and a career-high 3.5 TFLs at Jax State, a mark that tied for the second most by a CUSA player that season.
TICKET INFORMATION
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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.
This preseason, the senior safety has been named to the CUSA Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, and Pro Football Network All-CUSA Second Team.
Seay, a 2025 First Team All-CUSA selection, played and started all 13 games as a junior at safety. He followed up a stellar 2024 season by tying for the sixth-most INTs in CUSA (3) and finishing with the 11th-most tackles (91). Seay collected the most solo tackles on the squad with 62. His 2025 season was highlighted by a career-high 13 tackles against UConn and a career-high 3.5 TFLs at Jax State, a mark that tied for the second most by a CUSA player that season.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware football season tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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