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Aggies Safety Demani Richardson Named To Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List

Demani Richardson is a name to montior in coverage this season for Texas A&M.

Cole Thompson

Aggies Safety Demani Richardson Named To Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List
Aggies Safety Demani Richardson Named To Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List /
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Demani Richardson is one of the Texas A&M Aggies top leaders and a staple of the defense. People have always paid attention to his hard-hitting play style. 

Now, voters are paying attention, too. 

Richardson was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, announced by the Oklahoma Sports Club and Jim Thorpe Association Thursday morning. The award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.

A Preseason All-SEC Second Team honoree, Richardson surprised many when he elected to return for his fifth season with the Aggies. A native of Waxahachie, Texas, Richardson has been one of A&M's most consistent playmakers, missing just one start since 2019. 

In 2022, Richardson led the Aggies in tackles (73), and ranked 11th among SEC players in total stops. He also recorded five pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble. Richardson also was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice in wins over then-No. 10 Arkansas and then-No. 6 LSU, where he recorded a defensive touchdown in each appearance. 

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back.

Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 28 and the winner will be honored at the Jim Thorpe Award Banquet on Feb. 6.

Richardson is one of several defensive standouts returning to D.J. Durkin's system for the 2023 season. A&M's secondary was an x-factor for its defensive metrics in 2022, ranking No. 1 among FBS schools in pass coverage. 

Despite the departures of Antonio Johnson and Jaylon Jones, sixth-year coach Jimbo Fisher likes the depth among the returnees, including former Boston College defensive back Josh DeBerry, North Carolina cornerback Tony Grimes and sophomore nickel defender Bryce Anderson. 

Richardson is joined by defensive tackle McKinley Jackson, defensive end Fadil Diggs, and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who all elected to return for one more season in College Station. A&M ranked 25th nationally in scoring defense (21.2 points per game), and 52nd in total yards allowed (365.2 yards per game). 

A&M opens the season at Kyle Field on Sept. 2 against New Mexico at 6 p.m. 

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Cole Thompson
COLE THOMPSON

Cole Thompson is a sports writer and columnist covering the NFL and college sports for SI's Fan Nation. A 2016 graduate from The University of Alabama, follow him on Twitter @MrColeThompson

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