The leading candidates for the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award are included in a pre-season "watchlist" derived through a point system based on pre-season All-American teams listed in various football publications.
The Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best college defensive back, is one of college football's most sought after and prestigious awards. It is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as "The Legend", Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The watch list is narrowed to 10 semi-finalists the first Monday in November and then to three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. The winner is announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show nationally telecast on December 6, 2007. The official presentation of the award will take place in Oklahoma City on February 12th.
This list is not final. Players not on the list who have exceptional seasons may be added at a later date.
| Name | School | Class | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamar Adams | Michigan | Sr | S |
| Josh Barrett | Arizona State | Sr | S |
| Zackary Bowman | Nebraska | Sr | CB |
| Tony Carter | Florida State | Jr | CB |
| Antoine Cason | Arizona | Sr | CB |
| Simeon Castille | Alabama | Sr | CB |
| Quintin Demps | UTEP | Sr | DB |
| Brandon Flowers | Virginia Tech | Jr | C |
| Courtney Green | Rutgers | Jr | DB |
| Michael Hamlin | Clemson | Jr | S |
| Nic Harris | Oklahoma | Jr | SS |
| Victor Harris | Virginia Tech | Jr | DB |
| Jonathan Hefney | Tennessee | Sr | DB |
| Chris Horton | UCLA | Sr | S |
| Malcolm Jenkins | Ohio State | Jr | CB |
| Tyrell Johnson | Arkansas State | Sr | DB |
| Dennis Keyes | UCLA | Sr | FS |
| Justin King | Penn State | Jr | CB |
| Jamal Lewis | Georgia Tech | Sr | CB |
| Dwight Lowery | San Jose State | Sr | CB |
| Taylor Mays | USC | So | S |
| Mike Mickens | Cincinnati | Jr | CB |
| Derek Pegues | Mississippi State | Jr | FS |
| Kenny Phillips | Miami FL | Jr | S |
| Myron Rolle | Florida State | So | S |
| Reggie Smith | Oklahoma | Jr | S |
| Marty Tadman | Boise State | Sr | S |
| Aqib Talib | Kansas | Jr | CB |
| Terrell Thomas | USC | Sr | CB |
| DeJuan Tribble | Boston College | Sr | CB |
| Eric Wicks | West Virginia | Sr | S |
| Terrence Wheatley | Colorado | Sr | CB |
| Trae Williams | South Florida | Sr | CB |
| Tom Zbikowski | Notre Dame | Sr | SS |