TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo senior defensive back Avery Smith has been selected to the Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association announced on Wednesday.
 
Smith was named among 35 of the nation's top defensive backs and was one of just three players from the Mid-American Conference named to the preseason watch list.
 
A Second-Team All-MAC selection a season ago, Smith totaled 58 tackles, 16 passes defended, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. He had the game-winning pass breakup at Eastern Michigan on the final play in a 29-28 thriller, and tied a career high with eight tackles and broke up a pass in Toledo's six-overtime GameAbove Sports Bowl victory over Pitt. He was second in the FBS in PBUs and second in the MAC in passes defended.
 
Toledo has earned a selection to the watch list for the third-straight season, with first-round NFL Draft pick Quinyon Mitchell being picked in 2023 and Maxen Hook being selected in 2024.
 
The 15 semifinalists for the award will be chosen on Oct. 28, three finalists on Nov. 25 and the Jim Thorpe Award will be presented at the College Football Awards in December.
 
Smith and the Rockets begin the 2025 season on Aug. 30 at Kentucky, before returning home for the "Biggest Party in Toledo" on Sept. 6 against Western Kentucky.
 
Season and single-game tickets for all games are available now. Fans can purchase or find more information online at UTRockets.com/FBtix, by heading to the Rocket Ticket Office at Savage Arena during business hours, or by calling 419-530-GOLD (4653).