Texas Tech University Athletics
Williams named one of six finalists for Hornung Award
November 06, 2025 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Texas Tech sophomore J'Koby Williams was named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award on Thursday, recognizing the most versatile player in major college football. Williams is one of six finalists representing the Big 12, SEC, Sun Belt, ACC and Big Ten conferences, along with FBS independent Notre Dame.
Listed as a running back, Williams has been one of the Red Raiders' most dynamic playmakers this season, helping lead Texas Tech to a No. 8 ranking in the College Football Playoff and eight wins by at least 23 points — the most in the FBS. He has averaged 114.7 all-purpose yards per game in 2025, totaling 1,032 yards, the ninth-most in the FBS, through nine games.
Williams has excelled as a rusher, receiver and returner. He's recorded 525 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with 21 receptions for 300 yards and two scores. On special teams, he's added 207 kick return yards and one touchdown on just four returns.
The sophomore set a career high with 135 rushing yards on 17 carries in his last outing, including a 41-yard touchdown run. He's posted two 100-yard rushing games this season and one 100-yard receiving game, highlighted by a career-best 116 receiving yards against Oregon State in Week 3.
Williams has been responsible for a team-high 11 explosive plays of 20-plus yards, contributing to Texas Tech's 63 such plays this season — the second most in the FBS. His explosive plays are nearly split evenly, with six coming through the air and five on the ground.
Protected from the kick return game over the first half of the season due to running back depth, his skills were unleashed in game seven of the season at Arizona State on Oct. 18. His kick return totals have been accumulated over the past three games, totaling 207 yards on four returns, which includes Texas Tech's first kick return for a touchdown since 2023 when he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score against Oklahoma State.Â
About the Paul Hornung AwardÂ
The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 16th 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 in March 2026.Â
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"These guys are true gamers, just like Paul Hornung," said Greg Fante, LSC president and CEO. "When he played for Notre Dame, Paul excelled on offense, defense and special teams, always doing whatever it took to help his team win. He would be proud of this year's finalists."
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 their 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.Â
History of Paul Hornung Award Winners:
Listed as a running back, Williams has been one of the Red Raiders' most dynamic playmakers this season, helping lead Texas Tech to a No. 8 ranking in the College Football Playoff and eight wins by at least 23 points — the most in the FBS. He has averaged 114.7 all-purpose yards per game in 2025, totaling 1,032 yards, the ninth-most in the FBS, through nine games.
Williams has excelled as a rusher, receiver and returner. He's recorded 525 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with 21 receptions for 300 yards and two scores. On special teams, he's added 207 kick return yards and one touchdown on just four returns.
The sophomore set a career high with 135 rushing yards on 17 carries in his last outing, including a 41-yard touchdown run. He's posted two 100-yard rushing games this season and one 100-yard receiving game, highlighted by a career-best 116 receiving yards against Oregon State in Week 3.
Williams has been responsible for a team-high 11 explosive plays of 20-plus yards, contributing to Texas Tech's 63 such plays this season — the second most in the FBS. His explosive plays are nearly split evenly, with six coming through the air and five on the ground.
Protected from the kick return game over the first half of the season due to running back depth, his skills were unleashed in game seven of the season at Arizona State on Oct. 18. His kick return totals have been accumulated over the past three games, totaling 207 yards on four returns, which includes Texas Tech's first kick return for a touchdown since 2023 when he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score against Oklahoma State.Â
About the Paul Hornung AwardÂ
The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 16th 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 in March 2026.Â
Â
"These guys are true gamers, just like Paul Hornung," said Greg Fante, LSC president and CEO. "When he played for Notre Dame, Paul excelled on offense, defense and special teams, always doing whatever it took to help his team win. He would be proud of this year's finalists."
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 their 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.Â
History of Paul Hornung Award Winners:
- 2024: Travis Hunter, Colorado
- 2023: Travis Hunter, Colorado
- 2022: Jack Colletto, Oregon State
- 2021: Marcus Jones, Houston
- 2020: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
- 2019: Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky
- 2018: Rondale Moore, Purdue
- 2017: Saquon Barkley, Penn State
- 2016: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
- 2015: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
- 2014: Shaq Thompson, Washington
- 2013: Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
- 2012: Tavon Austin, West Virginia
- 2011: Brandon Boykin, Georgia
- 2010: Owen Marecic, Stanford
Players Mentioned
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