Arizona Wildcats star cornerback Tacario Davis was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list for college football's top defensive back.Â
Two Wildcats won the Jim Thorpe Award: Darryl Lewis in 1990 and Antoine Cason in 2007. Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina has coached four Jim Thorpe Award winners between his time at Arizona and Texas.Â
The 6-4, 195-pound Davis, also a preseason All-Big 12 choice, grew into one of the top defensive backs nationally after leading the Pac-12 in pass breakups (16) and received an 85.9 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. He had the highest overall PFF grade (84.2) amongst UA players last year. Following the departure of former UA head coach Jedd Fisch, Davis entered the transfer portal, but returned to Arizona following the spring practice schedule.
Arizona kicks off the 2024 season against New Mexico at Arizona Stadium on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
