BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State seniors
Josh Thomas and
Desmond Franklin have both been named to the preseason watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the best defensive back in college football.
App State is one of eight teams nationally with more than one candidate for the award. Presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, it focuses on performance, athletic ability and character.
Thomas, a 2018 starter at strong safety, and Franklin, a 2018 starter at free safety, intercepted four passes apiece last season for a defense that ranked fourth nationally at 15.5 points allowed per game, set a Sun Belt Conference record with only 20 defensive touchdowns allowed and tied for first place nationally with only eight passing touchdowns allowed.
Last season, with Thomas, Franklin and then-senior
Austin Exford taking most of the snaps at the two safety positions, Appalachian ranked No. 3 nationally with only eight passes of 30-plus yards allowed and No. 4 with one pass of 50-plus yards allowed. Those three players were the three highest-rated safeties in the Sun Belt Conference, according to PFF College.
Thomas also totaled 43 tackles during a 2018 season in which he was one of two junior captains for the Mountaineers. He intercepted passes in the New Orleans Bowl win against Middle Tennessee, the Sun Belt Championship Game win against Louisiana and two road victories in which App State didn't give up a defensive touchdown.
Franklin made 51 tackles, scored on a 26-yard interception return against Georgia State and had a 47-yard interception return to the goal line at Charlotte. He allowed just 0.31 yards per snap in coverage, according to PFF College, and his passer rating of 38.4 when targeted with a throw ranked No. 1 in the Sun Belt regardless of defensive position.
