University of Houston Athletics
Marcus Jones Named to Thorpe Award Watch List
7/26/2021 9:25:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON – Houston Football senior defensive back Marcus Jones was selected to the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association announced on Monday.
The honor marks the second watch list selection for Jones. The senior was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List last week.
He was recently selected by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine as the best defensive back in Texas and was tabbed as a first-team cornerback by the publication. Jones was also honored as a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele Magazine, Athlon Sports and the Walter Camp Foundation as a return specialist.
Last season as a cornerback, Jones made seven starts, finishing with 24 tackles (18 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and five pass breakups. The Enterprise, Ala., native was also a 2020 PFF All-America Fourth Team as a defensive back.
Jones was also a first-team All-America pick by Phil Steele Magazine, the FWAA and CBS/247 Sports as a return specialist in 2020. He led the FBS in punt return average in 2020 and was the only player in the FBS to have two games with at least 100 punt return yards.
Jones enters the 2021 season with five career return touchdowns (four kickoff + one punt) and has recorded 1,565 kickoff return yards in his three-year career to go along with 507 punt return yards.
The Thorpe Award Watch List includes 40 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players.
The Cougars return 17 starters from last year's squad and open the 2021 season on Sept. 4 inside NRG Stadium for the Texas Kickoff against Texas Tech.
2021 TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2021 Houston Football season start as low as $100 for six games including the Sept. 4 Texas Kickoff against Texas Tech at NRG Stadium.
Fans can click here to purchase their 2021 season tickets today. Mini-plan options are also available for the 2021 season and are available for purchase here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
The honor marks the second watch list selection for Jones. The senior was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List last week.
He was recently selected by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine as the best defensive back in Texas and was tabbed as a first-team cornerback by the publication. Jones was also honored as a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele Magazine, Athlon Sports and the Walter Camp Foundation as a return specialist.
Last season as a cornerback, Jones made seven starts, finishing with 24 tackles (18 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and five pass breakups. The Enterprise, Ala., native was also a 2020 PFF All-America Fourth Team as a defensive back.
Jones was also a first-team All-America pick by Phil Steele Magazine, the FWAA and CBS/247 Sports as a return specialist in 2020. He led the FBS in punt return average in 2020 and was the only player in the FBS to have two games with at least 100 punt return yards.
Jones enters the 2021 season with five career return touchdowns (four kickoff + one punt) and has recorded 1,565 kickoff return yards in his three-year career to go along with 507 punt return yards.
The Thorpe Award Watch List includes 40 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players.
The Cougars return 17 starters from last year's squad and open the 2021 season on Sept. 4 inside NRG Stadium for the Texas Kickoff against Texas Tech.
2021 TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2021 Houston Football season start as low as $100 for six games including the Sept. 4 Texas Kickoff against Texas Tech at NRG Stadium.
Fans can click here to purchase their 2021 season tickets today. Mini-plan options are also available for the 2021 season and are available for purchase here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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