Tulane's Jack Tchienchou Named to Preseason Watch List for Prestigious Award

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The accolades continue to roll in for Tulane Green Wave defensive standout Jack Tchienchou, as he's now a preseason candidate for one of the top honors in collegiate football. 

On Wednesday, Tchienchou was one of 35 players named to the 2026 Paycom Jim Thorpe Trophy Preseason Watch List, according to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association. This award was established in 1986 in honor of Thorpe, and it recognizes the best defensive back in all of college football, with emphasis placed on a player's in-game performance and overall character.  

Only three players from the American Conference were named to the preseason watch list, with Elijah Green and Zach Williams of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane also making the cut. All three will look to be named one of 15 semifinalists on October 27th, and later on ust one of three finalists on November 24th. 

Tchienchou is looking to put together another incredible season after being one of the Green Wave's top overall players in 2025. The senior safety recorded a team-high 83 tackles in 14 games played with 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, three pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. He would go on to be named the 2025 American Conference Championship Game's Most Outstanding Player and a First Team American All-Conference selection. 

Here's a look at the full list of student-athletes to make the Jim Thorpe Trophy Preseason Watch List. A few additional players could be named semifinalists or finalists later in the year.

KJ Boden, Georgia Bulldogs

Austin Brawley, New Mexico Lobos

Zabien Brown, Alabama Crimson Tide

Mario Easterly, Old Dominion Monarchs

Tre'Quon Fegans, Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Amare Ferrell, Indiana Hoosiers

Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon Ducks

Bryce Fitzgerald, Miami Hurricanes

Chance Gamble, Georgia Southern Eagles

Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

Elijah Green, Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Brevin Hamblin, Utah State Aggies 

Ashton Hampton, Clemson Tigers

Simeon Harris, Fresno State Bulldogs

Jyaire Hill, Michigan Wolverines 

Bray Hubbard, Alabama Crimson Tide

Jamel Johnson, TCU Horned Frogs

Kelley Jones, Mississippi State Bulldogs

Roger Jones Jr., Air Force Falcons

Earl Little Jr., Ohio State Buckeyes

Jelani McDonald, Texas Longhorns

Jaden Mickey, Boise State Broncos

Leonard Moore, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Caleb Nix, Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Chris Peal, Syracuse Orange 

Koi Perich, Oregon Ducks

Brice Pollock, Texas Tech Red Raiders

Ellis Robinson IV, Georgia Bulldogs

Faletau Satuala, BYU Cougars 

KT Seay, Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens 

Daytione Smith, Marshall Thundering Herd

Shamir Sterlin, Florida International Panthers

Jack Tchienchou, Tulane Green Wave

DJ Walker, Ohio Bobcats

Zach Williams, Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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