Pre-season award watchlist season keeps chugging on. 48 college football players made this year’s preseason Paul Hornung Award watchlist, led by the Big 12’s 11. The Big Ten came in second, tied with the ACC, with eight selections.
This week, the Maxwell Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, and Jim Thorpe Award have all released their watchlists with plenty of awards yet to be announced.
The Paul Hornung Award is awarded each year to the most versatile player in college football by the Louisville Sports Commission. It is named for the Notre Dame legend and 1956 Heisman Trophy winner, Paul Hornung, who was a halfback, quarterback, and kicker. In addition to football, Hornung played basketball. He had a storied NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and was eventually elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Eight Big Ten Players Land on Paul Hornung Award Watchlist
Zachariah Branch, USC
The first Big Ten name on the Paul Hornung Award watchlist (at least alphabetically) is Zachariah Branch, USC’s do-it-all sophomore. As a receiver, Branch was the third leading receiver behind a couple of 2024 NFL Draft picks with 31 catches for 320 yards and two scores. This year, he will be able to show off why he was the top-ranked receiver in the 2023 recruiting class.
He added nine rushes for 70 yards and a touchdown on offense. Brance is also a prolific return man. On the year, he returned 24 kicks for an average of 18.4 yards per and took one back for a touchdown. As a punt returner, he averaged 20.8 yards on 16 returns and another score.
Gary Bryant Jr., Oregon
Oregon’s Gary Bryant, Jr., spent three years at USC before hitting the transfer portal before the 2023 season. In 2021 as a member of the Trojans, Bryant hauled in 44 passes for 579 yards in just 10 games. Then, in 2022, he elected to transfer after three games and thus preserved his redshirt. Last year, Bryant put up similar numbers as a member of the receiver rotation with 442 yards and four touchdowns off 30 receptions.
Bryant also returned 14 kicks for the Ducks, averaging 18.5 yards per return.
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka is a fourth-year receiver for the Buckeyes. He battled injuries last year and still posted a 41-catch, 515-yard campaign with four touchdowns. In 2022, however, is the source of all of the preseason hype. In his first season of full-time duties, Egbuka hauled in 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. He’s on pace to shatter a long-standing career receiving yards program record. With an unproven supporting cast, Egbuka looks to have another strong season.
AJ Henning, Northwestern
Coming out of high school, A.J. Henning was one of the top receivers and made his way to Michigan. After three years, Henning only played sparingly and transferred to Northwestern before last year. As a member of the Wildcats, Henning broke out to the tune of 418 yards and four touchdowns off 45 receptions. On the ground, he added 110 yards and a score off 27 rushes.
Tommi Hill, Nebraska
The first defensive player on the Paul Hornung Award watchlist from the Big Ten is Nebraska’s Tommy Hill. Hill had a strong showing in 2023, posting 26 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, and recovered a fumble. He is a dynamic return man as well. To this point, in three years between Arizona State and Nebraska, Hill has returned 22 kicks for over 20 yards per return.
Keegan Jones, UCLA
Sixth-year running-back-turned-receiver Keegan Jones is the lone UCLA Bruin on this year’s Paul Hornung Award watchlist. He’s stuck with the Bruins since 2019 and has recorded 611 yards and five touchdowns off 128 rushing attempts. As a receiver, Jones hauled in 34 passes for 373 yards and four scores. He’s going to be an important part of UCLA’s offense in its first season in the Big Ten.
Semaj Morgan, Michigan
Just like USC’s Branch, Michigan has a talented sophomore set to take a leap in 2024. Semaj Morgan is a high-upside receiver for the Wolverines and was the team’s sixth-leading receiver a year ago with 22 catches for 204 yards and two scores. Four of the five players ahead of him on the leaderboard are now gone and he figures to be one of the top three offensive threats on the team.
Nichola Singleton, Penn State
Finally, the Nittany Lions have a two-headed monster at running back. However, only Nicholas Singleton was named to the Paul Horning Award watchlist this year. Both he and running mate Kaytron Allen have been two of the best in the Big Ten in their two years. Singleton had a massive freshman year and took a step back last year. In total, Singleton comes into his junior season with 1,813 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.
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