Five Players from Four Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll in Week 7
Week 7 Honor Roll: Jadan Baugh, Florida; Que’Sean Brown, Virginia Tech; Malachi Toney, Miami; Jackson Williams, North Dakota State; J’Koby Williams, Texas Tec
Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football
Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 20, 2026 – Five players representing the SEC, ACC, Pac-12 and Big 12 were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in Week 7 of the college football season. Making the list are Jadan Baugh, Florida; Que’Sean Brown, Virginia Tech; Malachi Toney, Miami; Jackson Williams, North Dakota State; and J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech.
The National College Football Awards Association will honor Toney as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his performance in Miami’s home win over Florida State.
Florida junior running back / return specialist Jadan Brown touched the ball 28 times three different ways for 108 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Gators’ 27-24 road win over Texas. Brown carried the ball 25 times for 91 yards and scored on an 11-yard run late in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game-winner. He caught two passes, accounted for four first downs from scrimmage, all on scoring drives, and handled one punt return.
Virginia Tech senior wide receiver / return specialist Que’Sean Brown touched the ball 11 times three different ways for 251 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Hokies’ 34-24 home win over Georgia Tech. Brown caught six passes for 182 yards, including a 60-yard scoring strike in the first quarter. He had one carry for 12 yards and accounted for six first downs from scrimmage, five on scoring drives. Brown also returned a punt 60 yards to set up a field goal.
Miami sophomore wide receiver / return specialist Malachi Toney touched the ball 15 times four different ways for 191 all-purpose yards and accounted for three scores receiving and passing in the Hurricanes’ 43-35 double-overtime home win over Florida State. Toney caught 11 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a three-yard touchdown reception in the second overtime for the game-winner, then completed a pass for the two-point conversion. He had two carries for 31 yards, accounted for eight first downs from scrimmage and return a punt eight yards.
North Dakota State junior wide receiver / return specialist Jackson Williams touched the ball 10 times three different ways for 251 all-purpose yards and the winning score in the Bison’s 31-17 home win over Nevada. Williams caught five passes for 58 yards, carried the ball twice for 18 yards and returned a missed field goal 100 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. The return proved to be the game-winner. He also handled a pair of kickoff returns.
Texas Tech junior running back / return specialist J’Koby Williams touched the ball 14 times three different ways for 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ 53-25 home win over Arizona State. Williams carried the ball 11 times for 165 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 36-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter that put the game out of reach. He also caught two passes, accounted for six first downs from scrimmage and handled one kickoff return.
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.
2026 Paul Hornung Award Roll
- Week 1: Wayne Knight, UCLA; Turbo Richard, Indiana; Tre Richardson, Louisville; Isaiah Sategna III, Oklahoma; Aneyas Williams, Notre Dame.
- Week 2: Maguire Anderson, FIU; Anthony Evans III, Mississippi State; Cam’ron Lacy, Middle Tennessee; Hollywood Smothers, Texas
- Week 3: Aiden Flora, Iowa State; Davian Jackson, Texas State; Wayne Knight, UCLA; Caleb Nix, Jacksonville State; Keenan Phillips, South Alabama
- Week 4: Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama; Dierre Hill, Jr., Oregon; Javen Jacobs, Utah State; Wayne Knight, UCLA; Qua Moss, Tennessee
- Week 5: Aiden Flora, Iowa State; Samari Howard, Army; Dijon Lee Jr., Alabama; Jonaz Walton, Notre Dame
- Week 6: Isaac Brown, Louisville; Wayne Knight, UCLA; Keenan Phillips, South Alabama; Dylan Riley, Boise State