Photo by: Zachary Lucy
Jackson Williams Named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List
8/10/2026 2:29:00 PM | Football
North Dakota State junior receiver and return specialist Jackson Williams has been named to the watch list for the 17th annual Paul Hornung Award, presented to the most versatile player in major college football.
Thirty-nine players representing schools from nine Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences were selected for the watch list. 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.
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.
Past winners include Travis Hunter of Colorado, DeVonta Smith of Alabama, Saquon Barkley of Penn State, and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford.
Williams (Omaha, Neb.) was one of three players in all of Division I football to have both a kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown in the 2025 season. He totaled 1,106 all-purpose yards on the year.
Thirty-nine players representing schools from nine Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences were selected for the watch list. 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.
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.
Past winners include Travis Hunter of Colorado, DeVonta Smith of Alabama, Saquon Barkley of Penn State, and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford.
Williams (Omaha, Neb.) was one of three players in all of Division I football to have both a kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown in the 2025 season. He totaled 1,106 all-purpose yards on the year.
Players Mentioned
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