ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Navy senior safety Rayuan Lane III was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list this afternoon by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association.
 
The list includes 42 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing nine conferences and one independent university. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in FBS college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
 
Lane is one of four players from the American Athletic Conference on the list and the only Service Academy player.
 
Lane has been a starter in 30-consecutive games for the Mids dating back to his freshman year and has played in 36 games in his career.
 
Last year, he was named Third-Team All-American Athletic Conference as he finished third on the team in tackles (66), tied for first in interceptions (4) and first in pass breakups (8).  He also finished with 3 tackles for a loss, a half a sack, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
 
His 4 interceptions tied with teammate Dashaun Peele for the 16^th more in the country.  His 97-yard interception return for a touchdown against UAB was the longest interception return in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the second-longest in school and AAC history. 
 
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
 
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a 15-day period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2024 preseason watch list calendar:

Thu., Aug. 1: Paul Hornung Award/Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 5: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 6: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 8: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 9: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 12: Bednarik Award
Tue., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
 
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates
 
Wed., July 31: Preseason Watch List Announced

Tue., Oct. 29: Semifinalists Announced

A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists.

Tue., Nov. 26: Finalists Announced
 
The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

Thu., Dec. 12 : Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards
The winner will be announced on the ESPN live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others.

Tue., Feb. 4, 2025: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2024 Winner
in Oklahoma City
 
The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries.