The Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of five organizations (the Association of American Football Coaches, The Associated Press, The Football Writers' Association of America and The Sporting News) recognized by the NCAA to select All-Americans by consensus and unanimity at the end of each season.
Entering his sophomore season, Thienneman was also named a Preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. The defensive back was also named to the Lott Impact Trophy Watch List for his impact on and off the field.
Thieneman had a breakout season as a freshman in 2023. As one of the best players in the country regardless of class, Thieneman earned Third Team All-American honors from the Associated Press, becoming the 50th All-American in program history. He was Purdue's first All-American defensive back (Gannett News Service) since Steve Jackson in 1990 and the first AP All-American Boilermaker since College Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (1986).
Thieneman finished the 2023 season ranked third nationally in interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74), leading all freshmen and setting a Purdue freshman freshman record. His six interceptions were double the number of the next closest freshman, and his 74 solo tackles were first among all Big Ten Conference defenders. The defensive back recorded two interceptions in the win over Indiana, bringing his season total to six, surpassing Stuart Schweigert's freshman record of five in a single season. In addition to his two interceptions, Thieneman recorded a team-high eight tackles to lead the Purdue defense in stopping the Hoosiers. All of his tackles were solo, breaking Woodson's single-season Purdue freshman record of 67 tackles. Thieneman was Purdue's leading tackler in eight different games, surpassing double figures four times.
The 2023 Thompson Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year also led all freshman in tackles (106) and forced fumbles (2). Thieneman becomes the seventh Boilermaker (Brian Fox – 1988, Eric Hunter – 1989, Corey Rogers – 1991, Stuart Schweigert – 2000, Rondale Moore – 2018, David Bell – 2019) to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the third Purdue player in the past six seasons. Thieneman is the 11th defensive player from the conference to win the award and just the fifth defensive back to do so, joining fellow Boilermaker Stuart 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 be named to one of three All-League teams, was selected to Second Team All-B1G by the coaches and was named to the Third Team by the media. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week five times through the 2023 season, becoming the first defender in conference history to win the weekly award five times in a single season. A Purdue defensive back, Thieneman joined a list of just seven Big Ten players (six quarterbacks and one running back) to win at least five weekly awards in a season and became the first Boilermaker to win the conference weekly 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) each earned Big Ten weekly honors four times during the season, tying Purdue’s previous record.
Thienneman and the Purdue football team will begin the 2024 season with a home game against Indiana State on Aug. 31. Kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium will be broadcast on BTN at 12 p.m. ET.
Thienneman Preseason Award
Preseason All-America Second Team (Walter Camp, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports)
Preseason All-Big Ten First Team (Phil Steele, Athlon Sports)
Lotto Impact Trophy Watch List
