The Sporting News is one of five organizations that the NCAA recognizes to form consensus and unanimous All-Americans at the end of each season (American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp Football Foundation).

 

Entering his sophomore season, Thieneman has also been named a Preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele and Pick Six Previews. The Boilermaker is also on watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Thieneman had a breakout freshman season in 2023. As one of the best players in the country, regardless of class, Thieneman earned Third Team All-America accolades from The Associated Press to become the 50th All-American in program history. He was Purdue’s first All-America defensive back since Steve Jackson in 1990 (Gannett News Service) as well as the first AP All-America Boilermaker since College Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (1986).

Thieneman ended his 2023 campaign ranked third nationally in interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74), leading all freshmen and setting new Purdue freshman records. His six interceptions were double the nearest freshmen, while his 74 solo tackles ranked first amongst all Big Ten defenders. The defensive back made a pair of interceptions in the win over Indiana, bringing his season total to six to surpass Stuart Schweigert’s freshman record of five for a single season. Along with his pair of picks, Thieneman recorded a team-high eight tackles to lead the Purdue defense in stopping the Hoosiers. All of his tackles were solo, as he broke Woodson’s Purdue freshman record of 67 solo tackles in a single season. Thieneman was Purdue’s leading tackler in eight different games, cracking double figures four times.

The 2023 Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year also paced the nation’s freshmen in total tackles (106) and forced fumbles (2). Thieneman became the seventh Boilermaker to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Brian Fox – 1988, Eric Hunter – 1989, Corey Rogers – 1991, Stuart Schweigert – 2000, Rondale Moore – 2018, David Bell – 2019), including the third Purdue player in the last six seasons. He was the conference’s 11th defensive player to win the award as well as the fifth defensive back alongside the fellow Boilermaker Schweigert (2000), Charles Woodson (Michigan – 1995), Jabrill Peppers (Michigan – 2015) and Brandon Joseph (Northwestern – 2020).

Last season, Thieneman was the only Big Ten freshman defender to make one of the three all-league teams, earning Second Team All-B1G honors from the coaches and third team accolades from the media. He was a five-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week honoree throughout the 2023 season, becoming the first defender in conference history to win any weekly award five times in a single season. The Purdue defensive back joined a list of only seven other Big Ten players (six quarterbacks, one running back) to win at least five weekly accolades in a single season and became the first Boilermaker to win a weekly conference award five times. Drew Brees (Offense – 2000), Travis Dorsch (Special Teams – 2001), Kyle Orton (Offense – 2004), Rondale Moore (Freshman – 2018) and David Bell (Freshman – 2019) collected Big Ten weekly honors four times in a season, tying for Purdue’s previous best.

Thieneman and Purdue Football begin the 2024 season at home against Indiana State (Aug. 31). Kickoff from Ross-Ade Stadium is set for 12 p.m. ET on BTN.

 

Thieneman Preseason Honors

Second Team Preseason All-America (Walter Camp, Sporting News, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, Pick Six Previews)

First Team Preseason All-Big Ten (Phil Steele, Athlon Sports)

Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List