With the college football universe beginning to warm up now that the season is less than two months away, the preseason watch lists for all the major awards are starting to be announced.
Saturday it was the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top DB in the country. Houston CB D.J. Hayden was one of 35 players from around the country to make the initial cut.
The 6'0 190 senior had 2 interceptions, 11 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles and 66 tackles in his first season for the Cougars last year, earning the Conference USA Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award as well as a spot on the All C-USA Second Team.
Hayden was a junior college transfer from Navarro JC, where he helped his team win the NJCAA national championships in 2010.
His combination of size and production has made him an NFL draft prospect headed into his senior season.
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