10/27/2026 11:54:00 AM | Football
Junior safety Jaylen McClain was named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain was named a Paycom Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, as announced Tuesday afternoon by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association.Â
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McClain was one of 15 players to be named a semifinalist for the award, which is given to the nation's best defensive back. Additionally, he was one of just three players from the Big Ten to be on the list.Â
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Ohio State has a rich history with the Thorpe Award, winning the award three times in the 30 years of its existence. The three winners are tied for the most in the awards history. The Buckeye Thorpe Award winners include Antoine Winfield Sr. (1998), Malcolm Jenkins (2008) and Caleb Downs (2025).Â
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More on Jaylen McClainÂ
Through seven games this season, McClain has made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, causing a turnover in all three games against ranked opponents this season with an interception at No. 4 Texas, an interception at No. 14 Iowa and a forced fumble at No. 5 Indiana.Â
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Impactful PerformancesÂ
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McClain was one of 15 players to be named a semifinalist for the award, which is given to the nation's best defensive back. Additionally, he was one of just three players from the Big Ten to be on the list.Â
Â
Ohio State has a rich history with the Thorpe Award, winning the award three times in the 30 years of its existence. The three winners are tied for the most in the awards history. The Buckeye Thorpe Award winners include Antoine Winfield Sr. (1998), Malcolm Jenkins (2008) and Caleb Downs (2025).Â
Â
More on Jaylen McClainÂ
Through seven games this season, McClain has made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, causing a turnover in all three games against ranked opponents this season with an interception at No. 4 Texas, an interception at No. 14 Iowa and a forced fumble at No. 5 Indiana.Â
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Impactful PerformancesÂ
- at No. 4 Texas: Ended the game with five tackles and an interception.Â
- Illinois: Finished the game with a career-high eight tackles and a career-high four pass deflections.Â
- at No. 14 Iowa: Secured the game-sealing interception at the end of the third quarter that led to the Buckeyes last touchdown.Â
- at No. 5 Indiana: Tallied four tackles including 1.0 sacks and 1.0 tackles for loss in addition to having a key forced fumble in the second half.Â
Players Mentioned
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