Johnson Named Semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
10/28/2025 12:17:00 PM | Football
The junior from Arlington is among the final 15 for the award.
FORT WORTH – TCU's storied history with the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back, continued on Tuesday as junior safety Jamel Johnson was named a semifinalist for the award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association announced.
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Johnson, a junior from Arlington, is among the final 15 to be considered for the honor which has included a pair of Horned Frogs since 2020. Trevon Moehrig became the first Horned Frog to earn the award in 2020, and he was followed by Tre Hodges-Tomlinson in 2022.
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This season has been a breakout for Johnson whose four interceptions are second-most nationally. A stalwart in the entire defensive scheme, his 62 total tackles are also the most among players with at least four interceptions, and he is one of only four Power 4 safeties to post 80-plus grades as both a run defender and tackler by Pro Football Focus.
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Johnson is one of two Big 12 defensive backs (Antwan Peek Jr., Cincinnati) to be included on the semifinalist list.
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The Horned Frogs are on a bye this week after a seven-game run and return to action on Saturday, Nov. 8 when they host Iowa State at 2:30 p.m. from Amon G. Carter Stadium.
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Johnson, a junior from Arlington, is among the final 15 to be considered for the honor which has included a pair of Horned Frogs since 2020. Trevon Moehrig became the first Horned Frog to earn the award in 2020, and he was followed by Tre Hodges-Tomlinson in 2022.
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This season has been a breakout for Johnson whose four interceptions are second-most nationally. A stalwart in the entire defensive scheme, his 62 total tackles are also the most among players with at least four interceptions, and he is one of only four Power 4 safeties to post 80-plus grades as both a run defender and tackler by Pro Football Focus.
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Johnson is one of two Big 12 defensive backs (Antwan Peek Jr., Cincinnati) to be included on the semifinalist list.
Â
The Horned Frogs are on a bye this week after a seven-game run and return to action on Saturday, Nov. 8 when they host Iowa State at 2:30 p.m. from Amon G. Carter Stadium.
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Players Mentioned
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Saturday, October 03
Tuesday, September 29
Saturday, September 26
