2025 Jim Thorpe Award Odds: Favorites & Betting Lines for Best Defensive Back

By Bill Speros Aug 14th, 2025 12:17 PM EDT

The Jim Thorpe Award honors one of the great athletes of the 20th Century.

The college football awards season may end with the Heisman Trophy, but there are more than 3 dozen awards that honor top players across all positions.

None share a bigger name than the Jim Thorpe Award. Given in honor of perhaps the greatest athlete of the 20th Century, the Jim Thorpe Award honors the nation's top defensive back. It recognizes excellence in athletic performance, sportsmanship, and character.

Texas CB Jahdae Barron captured the JIm Thorpe Award in 2024. He now plays for the Denver Broncos.

This season, Ohio State junior safety Caleb Downs holds a slight edge as the favorite at +600 to win the Jim Thorpe Award. Downs helped the Bucks ride a stout defense to a national championship in January. You won't find these odds at college betting sites, but we've got you covered below.

Sophomore Georgia DB KJ Bolden follows closely at +700. His Bulldog teammate, Daylen Everette, and Ohio State's Davison Igbinosun are tied for 3rd in our hypothetical market at +900.

Tap for Promo Visit site

Bet $10, Get $150 If You Win
Promo Code: BOOKIESBG150

Used 64 Times Today

•

Popular in New Jersey

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

2025 Jim Thorpe Award Odds

Here are the Bookies.com odds for to win the 2025-25 Jim Thorpe Award.

Player	College	Odds	Implied %
Caleb Downs	Ohio State	+600	14.3%
KJ Bolden	Georgia	+700	12.5%
Daylen Everette	Georgia	+900	10.0%
Davison Igbinosun	Ohio State	+900	10.0%
Avieon Terrell	Clemson	+1200	7.7%
Malik Muhammad	Texas	+1200	7.7%
Dillon Thieneman	Oregon	+1750	5.4%
Michael Taaffe	Texas	+1750	5.4%
Leonard Moore	Notre Dame	+2000	4.8%
Jeremiah Cooper	Iowa State	+2000	4.8%
The Field	—	+425	19.1%

Note: Implied probabilities are provided by Bookies.com and do not account for sportsbook vig.

Both Ohio State and Georgia offer users of U.S. betting apps a tempting choice to reach the college football playoff, and win the national championship. Each team will ride its defense as far as it can. The quality of their conference opponents give each team an edge when it comes to voting in the college polls. Ohio State opens its season at home against Texas in a rematch of 2025 Cotton Bowl.

The fight between the top 4 in this market could well come down to handful of votes.

How Does Jim Thorpe Award Show NFL Potential

Winning the Jim Thorpe Award is a strong predictor of NFL potential. Notable past recipients include Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson (Michigan, 1997), Patrick Peterson (LSU, 2010), and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama, 2017). Several winners have gone on to enjoy All-Pro careers in the NFL, while others have served as cornerstone leaders at the college level.

Why The Jim Thorpe Award Matters for Bettors

For bettors and fans, the Thorpe Award offers a midseason and year-end indicator of which defensive backs are dominating in coverage, turnovers, and big-play prevention. The award’s watch list can highlight emerging talent before it’s reflected in betting markets for NFL Draft position, Heisman odds (in rare cases), or team win totals. Tracking Thorpe Award contenders can give savvy bettors a sharper edge when evaluating matchups involving elite pass defenses.

Jim Thorpe Award History & Selection Process

First awarded in 1986, the Jim Thorpe Award is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Candidates are evaluated on their on-field performance at cornerback or safety, but voters also weigh leadership, integrity, and contributions to their team’s success. A selection committee comprised of former players, coaches, journalists, and college football experts narrows the field through a midseason watch list, weekly recognitions, and a list of semifinalists and finalists before naming the winner at the College Football Awards Show in December.

Check out Bookies' 2025 Bednarik Award Odds as well before the season kicks off.

Tap for Promo Visit site

Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
Promo Code: BOOKIESDYW

Used 75 Times Today

•

Popular in New Jersey

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.