Harvell-Peel, Rodriguez Named to Preseason Watch Lists

Kolby Harvell-Peel and Malcolm Rodriguez picked up more preseason accolades Monday.

Harvell-Peel, a safety at Oklahoma State, was one of 40 players named to the Jim Thorpe Award’s watch list, given to college football’s best defensive back. Meanwhile, Rodriguez was one of 51 players on the Butkus Award’s preseason list, given to the best linebacker in college football.

Harvell-Peel is one of only three Big 12 players who made the Thorpe’s watch list, joining Iowa State’s Greg Eisworth and TCU’s Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Notably, OSU safety Tre Sterling was again snubbed.

Entering his senior season, Harvell-Peel has totaled 167 tackles, three sacks and seven interceptions in his career.

Rodriguez enters his fifth season after taking advantage of a COVID-eligibility waiver. He has 279 career tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks in his career.

The pair of Pokes were named the the Bednarik Award’s watch list last week, an award given to the best defensive player in college football, and Harvell-Peel was selected to the preseason All-Big 12 team.