The Paul Hornung Award

2026 Paul Hornung Award Finalists: Wayne Knight, UCLA; Dylan Riley, Boise State; Aiden Flora, Iowa State; Malachi Toney, Miami; Easton Messer, FAU; J'Koby Williams, Texas Tech; Devon Dampier, Utah

Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football

Louisville, Ky. – Nov. 12, 2026 – Seven players from the Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, ACC and the AAC were named finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

Making the list are UCLA running back Wayne Knight, who also lines up at wildcat quarterback, slot receiver and handles kick returns; Boise State running back Dylan Riley, a breakaway threat rushing and receiving who also returns kicks; Iowa State running back Aiden Flora, who carries the ball, returns punts and has thrown two touchdown passes; Miami standout wide out Malachi Toney, who has accounted for touchdowns as a receiver and runner who also handles punt returns; FAU wide receiver Easton Messer, who carries the ball, returns punts and has thrown one touchdown pass; Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams, a speedster who also plays slot, wide receiver and returns kickoffs; and Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, a dual-threat, game changer at signal caller who also has one reception on his resume.

The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 17th season, is owned and operated by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC). The Award pays tribute to 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 downtown Louisville on March 8, 2027. For information about the dinner, contact Julie Howell at 502-587-6742 or JHowell@Louisvillesports.org.

“These seven finalists embody the versatility, toughness and team-first mentality that defined Paul Hornung’s career,” said Greg Fante, LSC president and CEO. “Each has demonstrated a willingness to make an impact wherever their team needs them, whether on offense, defense or special teams. We’re proud to recognize this outstanding group of student-athletes and the many ways they contribute to their teams’ success.”

 

Wayne Knight, UCLA
Fifth-year / 5-7, 193
Running back /return specialist
Smyrna, Delaware

An explosive and elusive playmaker, Knight carries the load as a running back, shotgun quarterback and receiver and also contributes as a kick returner. He ranks seventh in the nation with 15 total touchdowns and second in the Big Ten and 18^th nationally in all-purpose yards. He recorded more than 100 all-purpose yards in five games. When the Bruins’ starting quarterback was injured, Knight took over the workload in UCLA’s 17-15 road win over Oregon, accounting for 130 all-purpose yards on 26 touches and scoring the winning touchdown. He scored three times – including the game-winner – in a road win over Cal and racked up 252 all-purpose yards and two scores in a win over Purdue.

• 128 rushes, 789 yards, 13 touchdowns
• 17 receptions, 155 yards, two touchdowns
• Nine kickoff returns, 181 yards
• 1,125 all-purpose yards, 125.0 per game

 

Dylan Riley, Boise State
Junior / 5-10, 203
Running back / return specialist
Moreno Valley, California

Known for his explosive speed, Riley leads the nation and the Pac-12 in all-purpose yards and has recorded more than 200 all-purpose yards in four games and multiple scores in five games. He touched the ball 22 times as a runner, receiver and kick returner for 300 all-purpose yards and three scores in a rout of Colorado State. He touched the ball 24 times in three different ways for 227 all-purpose yards and two scores, including what proved to be the game-winner, in the Broncos’ 38-31 road win over Fresno State. He touched the ball 15 times in three different ways for 158 all-purpose yards and two scores in the Broncos’ 31-10 road win over Washington State.

• 184 rushes, 1,241 yards, 11 touchdowns
• 17 receptions, 218 yards, two touchdowns
• Four kickoff returns, 88 yards
• 1,547 all-purpose yards, 171.9 per game

 

Aiden Flora, Iowa State
Redshirt Sophomore / 6-0, 195
Running back / return specialist
Adel, Iowa

Flora ranks sixth in the nation and is third in the Big 12 in all-purpose yards and provides an added dimension with his passing ability. He touched the ball 24 times in two different ways for 260 total yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner, in the Cyclones’ 45-42 home win over West Virginia: he threw touchdown passes of 46 and two yards and carried the ball 22 times for 222 yards, including scoring runs of 24, 63 and two yards. Fiora touched the ball 17 times in three different ways for 296 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Cyclones’ 55-7 home win over Bowling Green and recorded 223 all-purpose yards and a score against Baylor.

• 157 rushes, 1,119 yards, nine touchdowns
• 17 receptions, 100 yards
• 3-3 passing, 48 yards, two touchdowns
• 10 punt returns, 146 yards, one touchdown
• 1,365 all-purpose yards, 151.7 per game

 

Malachi Toney, Miami
Sophomore / 5-11, 193
Wide receiver/return specialist
Liberty City, Florida

An elite receiver and creative playmaker with amazing stop/start ability, Toney leads the nation in yards after the catch, ranks third in the ACC and 16^th nationally in all-purpose yards and has scored multiple touchdowns in four games. He earned NCFAA Player-of-the-Week after recording 193 all-purpose yards and accounting for two scores while contributing as a receiver, runner, passer and punt returner in Miami’s double-overtime win over Florida State. He caught a touchdown pass and completed a pass for a two-point conversion in the second overtime. Toney touched the ball 18 times for 222 all-purpose yards and three scores against Pitt and caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns again Stanford.

• 73 receptions, 1,027 yards, 13 touchdowns
• Four rushes, 61 yards
• Six punt returns, 69 yards
• 1-1 passing on a two-point conversion
• 1,157 all-purpose yards, 144.6 per game

 

Easton Messer, FAU
Fifth-year / 5-9, 190
Wide receiver/return/specialist
Louisville, Kentucky

Messer ranks second in the AAC and seventh nationally in all-purpose yards. A savvy, all-around player who has thrown a touchdown pass, he accounted for multiple touchdowns in four games – two receiving, two rushing and one punt return against Rice; three receiving and one passing against UTSA; three receiving against North Texas; and two receiving against Navy. He touched the ball 16 times in three different ways for 262 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner on a punt return, in the Owls’ 51-49 win over Rice. He touched the ball 13 times in four different ways for 141 all-purpose yards and four scores in a rout of UTSA.

• 81 receptions, 983 yards, 12 touchdowns
• Four rushes, 26 yards, two touchdowns
• 1-3 passing, 14 yards, one touchdown
• 11 punt returns, 247 yards, two touchdowns
• 1,256 all-purpose yards, 139.6 per game

 

J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech
Junior / 5-10, 185
Running back/return specialist
Beckville, Texas

A breakaway threat who also lines up at slot receiver and wide receiver, Williams ranks second in the Big 12 and fifth nationally in all-purpose yards. He’s surpassed 100 all-purpose yards in eight games and thrice had 200 yards or more. Williams touched the ball 14 times in three different ways for 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ 53-25 home win over Arizona State. He touched the ball 16 times in three different ways for 223 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Red Raiders’ 34-26 home win over Arizona, including a 64-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining that put the game out of reach. Williams recorded 202 all-purpose yards and a score in a win over West Virginia.

• 119 rushes, 954 yards, seven touchdowns
• 28 receptions, 208 yards
• Eight kickoff returns, 227 yards
• 1,389 all-purpose yards, 154.3 per game

 

Devon Dampier, Utah
Senior / 5-11, 210
Quarterback
Phoenix, Arizona

A dual-threat quarterback who makes plays with both his arms and his legs, Dampier led the Utes to a 28-20 home win over BYU in the “Holy War,” accounting for 295 total yards and four touchdowns. He threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 89 yards and a pair of scores, including the game-winning, three-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. He also earned the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll in that game after making a spectacular 29-yard circus catch. The Utes remain unbeaten on the season.

• 172-253 passing, 2,053 yards, 20 touchdowns, seven interceptions
• 103 rushes, 482 yards, seven touchdowns
• One reception, 29 yards

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
• Week 7:Jadan Baugh, Florida; Que’Sean Brown, Virginia Tech; Malachi Toney, Miami; Jackson Williams, North Dakota State; J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech
• Week 8: Easton Messer, FAU; Dylan Riley, Boise State; Isaiah Sategna III, Oklahoma; Nate Sheppard, Duke
• Week 9: Isaac Brown, Louisville; Cole Cabana, Western Michigan; Malachi Toney, Miami; Jackson Williams; North Dakota State; J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech
• Week 10: Devon Dampier, Utah; JJ Garner, Louisiana; Easton Messer, FAU; Dylan Riley, Boise State

Paul Hornung Award Winners:

• 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.