Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman on the Verge of Football Greatness as Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist Revealed

Isn’t it something when a player steps in and quickly carves out a name for himself? That’s exactly what Dillon Thieneman has done for the Oregon Ducks this season. In just eight games, this defensive dynamo’s made waves — from logging 37 tackles to snagging an interception and breaking up three passes. It’s clear Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi has found a versatile weapon in him, deploying Thieneman both close to the line and far back in coverage. Now, the junior’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed — he’s in the running as a semifinalist for the prestigious PayCom Jim Thorpe Award, which honors college football’s top defensive back. Think about the company he’s in, with recent winners like Jahdae Barron, Trey Taylor, and Tre Tomlinson setting a high bar. If Thieneman keeps firing on all cylinders, we just might be witnessing the rise of the next great Duck defensive back. Curious to find out more about his journey and this exciting development? LEARN MORE

Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman has stood out for his play during his first season with the Oregon Ducks, registering 37 total tackles, an interception and three passes defensed in eight games. Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi has used Thieneman in a variety of ways, from disrupting plays near the line of scrimmage to patrolling the deep parts of the field in defending against the pass.

For his efforts, the junior has been named a semifinalist for the PayCom Jim Thorpe Award, given at the end of the season to the best defensive back in college football. Past winners include Texas’ Jahdae Barron (2024), Air Force’s Trey Taylor (2023) and TCU’s Tre Tomlinson (2022).

Now, Thieneman will have a chance to add his name to the list if he continues to excel in the Ducks’ secondary.

Thieneman was among a total of 15 defensive backs that stretched across seven conferences and an independent. Fellow Big Ten members on the list include Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.

The three finalists for the award will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 25, while the winner will be announced on Friday, Dec. 12 live during ESPN’s presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards.

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