LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football senior Brevin Hamblin has been named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, it was announced on Wednesday. Hamblin was one of 35 players named to the watch list.

Hamblin, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound safety from Syracuse, Utah, earned honorable mention All-Mountain West honors last season as he started in 12 of 13 games he played in and finished second on the team with 114 tackles. Hamblin added 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown. He earned MW Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording eight tackles and a sack against Nevada to go along with 1.5 TFLs and a 38-yard INT touchdown return. Hamblin posted four double-digit tackle outings on the season, including a season-high 14 against Boise State, and was named to the Academic All-MW team.

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in the nation based on on-field performance, athletic ability and character. The watch list was selected by a screening committee based on previous performance and preseason All-America lists. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Oct. 27 while finalists will subsequently be announced on Nov. 24. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner will be announced on Dec. 11 as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. 

Utah State football begins its season at home on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. (MT), when the Aggies host Idaho State at Maverik Stadium. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets can be purchased through the USU Online Ticket Office.

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