Will Lee III eyes Jim Thorpe Award after strong 2024 season despite preseason snub
COLLEGE STATION — Will Lee III, Texas A&M’s standout defensive back, remains motivated to chase the Jim Thorpe Award in 2025, even after being left off the 35-player preseason watch list for college football’s top defensive back. The Jim Thorpe Award has been handed out annually for 49 years, and no Aggie has ever claimed the honor.
Lee, a St. Louis native, started all 12 regular-season games in 2024 and earned All-SEC second-team honors. He ranked among the SEC leaders with 42 total tackles, including a team-high 39 solo stops, and added 10 pass breakups. His performance featured a career-high four pass breakups in the win over Arkansas, underscoring his impact on the Aggies’ secondary.
But the preseason snub stung. Lee didn’t appear on the 35-player watch list, despite his production and a belief in his abilities. “The next level (for me) is (the) Jim Thorpe,” he said. “They left me off that list and I feel disrespected.” He acknowledged the political aspects that sometimes influence awards but affirmed his plan to prove himself on the field and prove he’s among the nation’s best cornerbacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, Lee finished 2024 with a 71.8 coverage grade, the same as Texas Longhorn Malik Muhammad, who earned a spot on the Thorpe watch list. Also on the Texas roster, Michael Taaffe made the list; the trio from Texas will share the field when A&M visits Austin in the final week of the regular season.
Entering 2025, Lee is viewed as a leader and the No. 1 cornerback for the Aggies, a veteran presence the defense will lean on as it tries to rebound from a challenging previous season. A&M’s secondary added two transfers at the corner position, but the unit overall finished 13th in the SEC in passing yards allowed (232.2 per game) in 2024, highlighting the challenge ahead.
A tougher schedule looms, with three teams from 2024 ranking among the top 20 in passing yards per game visiting College Station or visiting Texas for road tests. The Aggies will face offenses with strong quarterback play, including UTSA, Utah State and Arkansas in non-conference and SEC foes such as Texas, South Carolina and LSU later in the season.
Lee has used the disappointment as fuel. “Ever since (I saw that I wasn’t on the list), it just kept a little fire in my heart,” he said. “That’s my chip on my shoulder this season, for sure.” If he can translate that edge into dominant play across a full season, he could become a leading contender for the Thorpe Award and an anchor for a Texas A&M defense aiming to rise in Year 2 under head coach Mike Elko.
Summary: Will Lee III, Texas A&M’s top cornerback, is pursuing the Jim Thorpe Award after a productive 2024 season that earned him All-SEC honors, despite being left off the preseason watch list. With leadership qualities, a renewed hunger, and a tougher schedule ahead, Lee is positioned to bolster the Aggies’ pass defense and push for national recognition in 2025.
Additional notes for editors:
– Emphasize the contrast between Lee’s strong 2024 metrics (42 tackles, 39 solo; 10 PBUs) and the preseason omission to highlight the “snub” narrative.
– Position Lee within the broader context of A&M’s defensive turnaround in Elko’s second year, including the transfer portal additions and the need to improve pass defense.
– Consider a sidebar with Lee’s key 2024 games (notably the Arkansas game) to illustrate consistency and critical plays.