Five Players from Five Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll in Week Nine
Roman Hemby, Indiana; D. J. McKinney, New Mexico; Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn; Brock Townsend, Central Michigan; J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech named to PHA Honor Roll Week Nine
Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football
Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 28, 2025 – Five players representing the Big Ten, Mountain West, SEC, MAC and Big 12 conferences were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in week nine of the college football season. Making the list are Roman Hemby, Indiana; D. J. McKinney, New Mexico; Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn; Brock Townsend, Central Michigan; and J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech.
The National College Football Awards Association will honor Hemby as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the Hoosier’s win over UCLA.
IU senior running back / return specialist Roman Hemby touched the ball 19 times three different ways and scored twice as the no. 2-ranked Hoosiers kept their record perfect by routing UCLA at home, 56-6. Hemby carried the ball 17 times for 81 yards and touchdown runs of one and 13 yards in the first half when IU put the game away. He caught an 11-yard pass and returned a kickoff 24 yards as the Hoosiers ran their record to 8-0 and 5-0 in Big Ten play. For the game, Hemby accounted for four first downs from scrimmage, including two rushes and one reception on scoring drives.
New Mexico sophomore running back / return specialist D. J. McKinney touched the ball 13 times three different ways and scored two different ways as the Lobos defeated Utah State 33-14 at home. McKinney opened the scoring with a 49-yard punt return in the first quarter, then added a one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to give New Mexico a 14-0 lead they would not relinquish. He accounted for three first downs from scrimmage and fair caught one punt.
Auburn junior cornerback / return specialist Rayshawn Pleasant handled four kickoff returns, recorded one tackle and intercepted two passes, including a pick six that proved to be the game-winner, as Auburn came from behind to defeat Arkansas 33-24 in Fayetteville. His 49-yard kickoff return to open the second half led to an Auburn field goal as the Tigers dug out from an 11-point deficit. Pleasant returned an interception 49 yards for a score early in the fourth quarter to give the Tigers a 27-24 lead they would not relinquish. Late in the game, he returned an interception from the -45-yard line to the +38 that led to a field goal.
Central Michigan freshman running back / return specialist Brock Townsend touched the ball 13 times three different ways and scored two different ways as the Chippewas overwhelmed UMass 38-13 at home. Townsend scored on one-yard and five-yard runs in the first quarter, with the second touchdown proving to be the game-winner. He added a 51-yard scoring reception early in the third quarter that put the game out of reach. Townsend accounted for two first downs receiving, both on scoring drives, and handled one kickoff return.
Texas Tech sophomore running back / return specialist J’Koby Williams touched the ball eight times three different ways and scored two different ways as the Red Raiders swamped Oklahoma State 42-0 in Lubbock to run their record to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12. Williams returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a score then hauled in a 26-yard touchdown reception on the Red Raiders’ first possession to effectively put the game out of reach. For the game, he carried the ball four times for 10 yards and caught three passes for 60 yards, with two receptions accounting for first downs on scoring drives.
The Louisville Sports Commission successfully launched the Paul Hornung Award in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son, and to promote outstanding performances by versatile college football players who often go unnoticed. Each week during the regular season, a panel of college football experts selects players for the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll based on performance. A national selection committee comprised of 18 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner, with fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse comprising the 19th vote.
2025 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll
- Week 1: Jonah Coleman, Washington; Quinton Jackson, Rice; Cam Ross, UVA; Smith Snowden, Utah
- Week 2: Rayshon Luke, Fresno State; Adam Randall, Clemson; Sutton Smith, Memphis
- Week 3: Zachariah Branch, Georgia; Dalen Cobb, Georgia Southern; Martel Hight, Vanderbilt; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State; Sutton Smith, Memphis
- Week 4: Caullin Lacy, Louisville; Makai Lemon, USC; Malik Sherrod, Boise State
- Week 5: Luke Altmyer, Illinois; Nahree Biggins, Central Michigan; Wayne Knight, James Madison; Koi Perich, Minnesota
- Week 6: Jonah Coleman, Washington; KC Concepcion, Texas A&M; Parker Kingston, BYU; Wayne Knight, James Madison; Jordan Napier, San Diego State; Victor Snow, Buffalo
- Week 7: Chris Barnes, Wake Forest; Parker Kingston, BYU; King Miller, USC; Koi Perich, Minnesota; Cameron Pettaway, Bowling Green
- Week 8: Jacob De Jesus, Cal; Jaden Nixon, UCF; Jadarian Price, Notre Dame; Victor Snow, Buffalo