Marshall University Athletics
Marshall’s Daytione Smith Named To Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
8/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Herd’s 2026 Preseason All-SBC Defensive Back one of 35 chosen for prestigious honor
2026 Marshall Football Tickets
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall defensive back Daytione Smith was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday.
Smith, the Herd's sixth-year defensive back from East Highland Park, Va., was one of just 35 players nationally named to the preseason list for the nation's top defensive back.
"We are excited for Daytione to be recognized nationally for his abilities," Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said. "His leadership in the defensive backfield and within our locker room are noteworthy and he brings a lot of football experience back to our secondary for 2026."
Smith was a consensus 2026 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection by media writers and the league's coaches. He also represented Marshall at the 2026 SBC Media Days, which were held in New Orleans last month.
Last season, Smith finished with 50 tackles and also had three interceptions, which ties all returning SBC players from 2025.
Smith started in all 12 contests last season and has 33 career appearances in a Marshall uniform to his credit as the 2026 season gets underway.
Smith's top performances came in the latter part of the season as he elevated his game down the stretch.
One of the performances that define Smith's leadership and resilience came late in the 2025 season.
Smith was having a strong game against Georgia State with four first-half tackles and an interception when a pass breakup over the middle left him down for several minutes and forced him to the hospital for observation in Atlanta.
Just six days after being stretchered off the field, Smith came back to register a career-high 10 tackles at App State to lead the Herd defense in the contest.
Smith's 50 tackles are the second-most returning to the Herd defense for the 2026 season.
Marshall's 2026 season gets underway with a Sept. 5 matchup at Penn State. Today also marks one month to the day until the Herd's home opener against Middle Tennessee at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Those interested in buying tickets for the 2026 Marshall Football season can do so HERE.
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