Kamari Cotton-Moya named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State Athletics Communications.

AMES, Iowa- Iowa State senior safety Kamari Cotton-Moya has been named to the 2017 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, announced today by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Established in 1986, the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation’s best defensive back in college football and in honor of one of the greatest athletes in United States history.

Cotton-Moya is one of ISU’s leaders on defense, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2016 after leading the team in solo tackles (58), ranking sixth in the Big 12 and 12^th nationally.

A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Cotton-Moya led the team with three takeaways and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week vs. Texas Tech after recording six tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a 48-yard interception return for a TD, ISU’s first defensive TD in over two years.

Cotton-Moya has 27 career starts and is ISU’s active leader in tackles with 190.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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