Since 1986, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame has identified the nation's mightiest collegiate defensive back and awarded him the Jim Thorpe Award, named for the patron saint of Underdogs. If you passed the third grade, you know the story of Jim Thorpe, an all around bad-ass who pulled himself out of obscurity to become our Nation's greatest multi-sport athlete.

To date, only one Underdog has won a Jim Thorpe – the legendary Greg Myers from Colorado State in 1995. This year, 17 Underdogs look to end the 21 year drought. Always your good-looking and humble servant, I've extrapolated the Underdogs from the list, and I've given it to you, the people.

Underdogs who appear on the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List



Bobby Baker, Georgia State Panthers



Cody Brown, Arkansas State Red Wolves



Sean Chandler, Temple Owls



Jeremy Cutrer, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders



Zach Edwards, Cincinnati Bearcats



Damontae Kazee, San Diego State Aztecs

Roland Ladipo, Air Force Falcons



Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois Huskies



Demetrius Monday, Kent State Golden Flashes



Deatrick Nichols, South Florida Bulls



Jeremy Reaves, South Alabama Jaguars



DeJuan Rogers, Toledo Rockets



Boise Ross, Buffalo Bulls



Weston Steelhammer, Air Force Falcons



Jamar Summers, Connecticut Huskies



Andrew Wingard, Wyoming Cowboys



Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs