Junior Maxwell Hairston has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, as announced Wednesday by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association. This prestigious list includes 42 of the nation’s top defensive backs.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in college football, considering performance on the field, athletic ability, and character. Established in 1986, the award honors Jim Thorpe, history’s greatest all-around athlete. Thorpe was a standout as a running back, passer, kicker, and defensive back. He also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top collegiate sports honors.
Hairston, a 6-foot-1, 186-pounder from Detroit, recorded five interceptions in 2023, including four in SEC play, ranking fifth in the nation. His five interceptions tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history, the highest since Sam Maxwell’s six in 2009. Hairston amassed 131 interception return yards, the most since Greg Long’s 176 return yards in 1981.
In a standout performance against Vanderbilt, Hairston had two interceptions, returning both for touchdowns, tying an SEC single-game record. He was named National Defensive Player of the Week and National Defensive Back of the Week for that game.
In addition to his league-high five takeaways, Hairston ranked eighth in the SEC in passes defended in 2023 with 11.
Hairston is on track to graduate in December 2024 with a degree in community leadership and development.
The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final; players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses.
Semifinalists will be announced Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Season tickets, mini-packs, and single-game tickets for Kentucky’s games vs. Southern Miss, South Carolina, Ohio, Vanderbilt, and Murray State are now on sale at ukfootballtix.com.
Tickets for the highly anticipated home matchups vs. Georgia, Auburn, and Louisville will go on sale to the public beginning Friday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m. ET. Given the strong demand for all ticket options, inventory for Kentucky’s SEC and nonconference rivalry games is expected to be extremely limited, and there is no guarantee that tickets will be available on Aug. 9. Fans are encouraged to consider season ticket options to secure tickets for those games.