Bolden, Robinson IV named to 2026 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

Georgia football defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV have both been named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) have announced.

The Jim Thorpe Award is an annual award presented “to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.”

30-50 student-athletes are named to the list annually by a screening committee and others are added as the season progresses. The field will be narrowed to up to 15 semifinalists in October. Three finalists will be announced at a later date, and the winner will be selected and announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 11 live on ESPN.

This season, 35 student-athletes were named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List.

KJ Bolden, a 6-foot-0, 195-pound junior, hails from Buford, Ga. Bolden started in all 14 games last season, recording 76 tackles (32 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss for five yards, two interceptions, and five pass break-ups. Bolden was named to the Coaches All-SEC Second Team following the season.

Ellis Robinson is a 6-foot-0, 180-pound redshirt sophomore from New Haven, Conn. Robinson played in all 14 games last season, starting 12, tallying 20 tackles (13 solo), half a tackle for loss for a yard, and seven pass break-ups. He was selected the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the FWAA and The Athletic Freshman All-America First Teams.

The back-to-back SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 against the Tennessee State Tigers at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. The game will kickoff at 3:00pm ET and will be a streaming-only event on SEC Network+ (Buy Tickets).

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Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden have been named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist! @jimthorpeaward pic.twitter.com/PSN33Th1RR

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 12, 2026