The Paul Hornung Award

Thirty-nine players representing schools from nine Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences have been selected to the 2026 Paul Hornung Award Pre-Season Watch List

Presented by Texas Roadhouse, Award Given to Nation’s Most Versatile Player

Louisville, Ky. – August 10, 2026 – Thirty-nine players representing schools from nine Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences have been selected to the 2026 Paul Hornung Award Pre-Season Watch List.

Leading the way are 2025 Paul Hornung Award Finalists J’Koby Williams of Texas Tech and Wayne Knight of UCLA (a transfer from James Madison), along with nine players who earned a spot on the weekly Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll at least once in 2025: David Amador II (UTSA), Anthony Evans III (Mississippi State), Martel Hight (Vanderbilt), Quinton Jackson (Rice), Rayshon Luke (Fresno State), Koi Perich (Oregon), Cameron Pettaway (Iowa State), Rayshawn Pleasant (Auburn) and Sutton Smith (Arkansas). (See full list of Watch List players below.)

The SEC leads all conferences with 10 players on the Watch List, followed by the ACC, Big 12 and AAC with six each; the Big Ten with five; the Mountain West and Pac-12 with two each and the MAC and Sun Belt with one player each on the list.

Now in its 17th season, the Paul Hornung Award is presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville in March 2027.

More information about the Award can be found at www.paulhornungaward.com.

2026 Watch List Selections

• David Amador II, UTSA
• Cam Barfield, Hawai’i
• Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska
• Jadan Baugh, Florida
• Solomon Beebe, Virginia
• Jackson Bennee, Utah
• JoJo Bermudez, Temple
• Vernell Brown III, Florida
• Miles Coleman, Oklahoma St.
• DJ Epps, West Virginia
• Anthony Evans III, Mississippi St.
• Martel Hight, Vanderbilt
• Brandon Inniss, Ohio State
• Alvon Issac, USF
• Quinton Jackson, Rice
• Kenny Johnson, Texas Tech
• Wayne Knight, UCLA
• Rayshon Luke, Fresno St.
• Andrew Marsh, Michigan
• Easton Messer, FAU
• Adam Mohammed, CAL
• Ryan Niblett, Texas
• Koi Perich, Oregon
• Cameron Pettaway, Iowa St.
• Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn
• Keith Reynolds, Miami (OH)
• Tre Richardson, Louisville
• Devin Roche, Old Dominion
• Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse
• Isaiah Sategna III, Oklahoma
• Jayden “Duke” Scott, NC State
• Junior Sherrill, Vanderbilt
• Sutton Smith, Arkansas
• Beau Sparks, Texas State
• Vicari Swain, South Carolina
• Malachi Toney, Miami
• James Tyre, North Texas
• Jackson Williams, NDSU
• J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech

Last season, players on the Watch List combined for more than 38,000 all-purpose yards and 201 total touchdowns rushing, receiving and on kick, punt and interception returns and averaged 11.5 yards per catch, 5.6 yards per carry, 13.4 yards per punt return, 25 yards per kickoff return and 24.3 yards per interception return. The majority of the players on the Watch List play offensive skill positions and are return specialists; four players are defensive backs and return specialists; and four play both offense and defense.

In 2025, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion earned the Paul Hornung Award as an elusive threat at wide receiver and as one of the nation’s leaders in explosive plays who scored touchdowns receiving (9), rushing (1) and returning punts (2). Concepcion ranked among the nation’s top 10 in six skill-position statistical categories, including 40 receptions of 10 yards or more, nine touchdown receptions, an average of 15.5 yards per catch, a 20-yard average per punt return and two punt returns of more than 70 yards. The Cleveland Browns selected him with the 24th overall pick in the NFL draft.

The Paul Hornung Award has built an impressive legacy over its first 16 seasons, with nine winners becoming first-round NFL Draft picks – KC Concepcion, Tavon Austin, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Travis Hunter, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers, DeVonta Smith and Shaq Thompson.

Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 in November 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s. He also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. Hornung was named an All-American quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956, before becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He earned NFL MVP honors in 1961 for the Packers as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. Hornung is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and legendary coach Vince Lombardi once called him “The most versatile man ever to play the game.”

The 2026 Pre-Season Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of statistics, career performance, SID recommendations and expectations heading into the 2026 season. Throughout the regular season, the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll will recognize players whose performances meet the Award’s criteria. Players named to the Watch List and the Weekly Honor Roll are eligible to win the Award.

All votes for the Paul Hornung Award finalists and winner will be independently tabulated by Jones, Nale & Mattingly, one of Kentucky’s premier CPA and advisory firms.

The Louisville Sports Commission successfully launched the Paul Hornung Award in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son while recognizing outstanding performances by versatile college football players whose contributions often go unnoticed.

Texas Roadhouse became the Award’s presenting sponsor in 2011 and will again partner with the Louisville Sports Commission to power fan voting during the 2026 season. College football fans nationwide will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite player during the regular season and again during the bowl season. Fan voting will open in late September and factor into the selection of the finalists and winner.

Previous Paul Hornung Award winners by year:

• 2025: KC Concepcion from Texas A&M scored touchdowns receiving, returning punts and running the ball and was an elusive threat who helped the Aggies to an 11-1 regular season record and a spot in the playoffs.
• 2024: Travis Hunter became the first two-time winner when he averaged 112 snaps per game on offense, defense and special teams and was the first player ever to win the Paul Hornung Award, The Heisman Trophy and six other major awards in the same season.
• 2023: Travis Hunter from Colorado played offense, defense and special teams, averaged 121 snaps per game; on offense was second on the team with 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns; on defense recorded 31 tackles, five interceptions, five pass deflections and two tackles for loss.
• 2022: Jack Colletto of Oregon State played fullback, quarterback and receiver on offense; linebacker and defensive back on defense; and was on all special teams. He scored six touchdowns rushing, completed two passes, made 28 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble.
• 2021: Marcus Jones of Houston was an All-American return specialist and lockdown corner who saw duty on offense. He recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions; returned a pair of kickoffs and punts for touchdowns; and caught 10 passes for 109 yards.
• 2020: DeVonta Smith of Alabama topped the nation in receiving yards and yards after catch and averaged 24 yards per punt return leading the Crimson Tide to the national championship. He scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning punts and was a gunner on punt coverage.
• 2019: Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky made the move from all-purpose receiver/wildcat quarterback/return specialist to quarterback in midseason and led the Wildcats to a 5-2 record and Belk Bowl win over Virginia Tech.
• 2018: Rondale Moore of Purdue was a dynamic All-American freshman sensation who broke the school record for all-purpose yards in a season and a game with 2,215 and 313, respectively.
• 2017: Saquon Barkley of Penn State was an electrifying All-American running back who lined up at slot and wildcat quarterback, and returned kicks and punts;
• 2016: Jabrill Peppers of Michigan played 15 different positions on defense, offense and special teams, and earned first-team All-America at linebacker;
• 2015: Christian McCaffrey of Stanford was a workhorse on offense and special teams who broke the NCAA record for all-purpose yards, finishing with 3,864;
• 2014: Shaq Thompson of Washington was a two-way player, earning first-team All-American honors at linebacker and finished as the Husky’s second-leading rusher at tailback;
• 2013: Odell Beckham Jr. of LSU finished the season ranked second in the nation and first in the Southeastern Conference with 2,222 all-purpose yards and 185.2 average yards per game;
• 2012: Tavon Austin of West Virginia earned All-American by scoring 17 touchdowns receiving, rushing, returning kicks and punts; and amassing 2,272 all-purpose yards, including 572 yards versus Oklahoma.
• 2011: Brandon Boykin of Georgia was a lockdown cornerback on defense; scored three touchdowns playing quarterback, running back and slot on offense; and led the SEC in punt and kick returns.
• 2010: Owen Marecic of Stanford was a two-way starter who averaged 110 snaps per game and earned first-team All-Pac-10 at fullback and honorable mention at linebacker.

Below are past winners and finalists who have made their mark in the NFL:

• Ameer Abdullah* RB; Nebraska / Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Joe Adams WR; Arkansas / Carolina Panthers
• Antonio Andrews RB; Western Kentucky / Tennessee Titans
• Dri Archer RB; Kent State / Pittsburgh Steelers
• Tavon Austin WR; West Virginia / St. Louis, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys RB, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Saquon Barkley* RB; Penn State / New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles
• Odell Beckham Jr.* WR; LSU / New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins
• Lynn Bowden, Jr. WR; Kentucky / Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints
• Brandon Boykin CB/DB; Georgia / Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens
• Michael Carter* RB; North Carolina / New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans
• Randall Cobb WR; Kentucky / Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, New York Jets
• Jonah Coleman* RB; Washington / Denver Broncos
• KC Concepcion* WR; Texas A&M / Cleveland Browns
• Blake Corum* RB; Michigan / Los Angeles Rams
• Emeka Egbuka* WR; Ohio State / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• D’Wayne Eskridge* WR; Western Michigan / Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins
• Travis Etienne* RB; Clemson / Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire* RB; LSU / Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints
• Jahmyr Gibbs* RB; Alabama / Detroit Lions
• Marcus Green WR; Louisiana-Monroe / Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles
• Marion Grice RB; Arizona State / San Diego, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals
• Justin Hall WR; Ball State / Las Vegas Raiders
• KJ Hamler WR; Penn State / Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills
• N’Keal Harry WR; Arizona State / New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings
• Connor Heyward* RB; Washington St. / Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders
• Nyheim Hines* RB; NC State / Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints
• Travis Hunter* WR/CB; Colorado / Jacksonville Jaguars
• Myles Jack ILB; UCLA / Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles
• Adoree’ Jackson* CB; USC / Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles
• LaMichael James RB; Oregon / Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers
• Marcus Jones*, CB; Houston / New England Patriots
• Jeremy Kerley WR; TCU / New York Jets, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills
• Joel Lanning LB; Iowa State / Dallas Cowboys
• Marqise Lee WR; USC / Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers
• Johnny Manziel QB; Texas A&M / Cleveland Browns
• Owen Marecic DB/RB; Stanford / Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers
• Christian McCaffrey* RB; Stanford / Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers
• Ty Montgomery RB/WR; Stanford / Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots
• Rondale Moore WR; Purdue / Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings
• Marcus Murphy RB; Missouri / New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers
• Robert Nkemdiche DT; Ole Miss / Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers
• Jabrill Peppers* DB/FS; Michigan / Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Dante Pettis* WR; Washington / San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints
• Jayden Reed* WR; Michigan State / Green Bay Packers
• Joe Reed WR; Virginia / Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears
• Wan’Dale Robinson* WR; Nebraska / New York Giants, Tennessee Titans
• Will Shipley* RB; Clemson / Philadelphia Eagles
• Cameron Skattebo* RB; Arizona State / New York Giants
• DeVonta Smith* WR; Alabama / Philadelphia Eagles
• Shaq Thompson* LB; Washington / Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills
• Kadarius Toney WR; Florida / New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns
• Sione Vaki* RB; Utah / Detroit Lions
• Dede Westbrook WR; Oklahoma / Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings
• Tyler Warren* TE; Penn State / Indianapolis Colts
• Kyren Williams* RB; Notre Dame / Los Angeles Rams

*Currently active in NFL