Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech lands two on Hornung Award watch list
August 10, 2026 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech placed a pair of players on the annual Paul Hornung Award Watch List on Monday, as J'Koby Williams and Kenny Johnson were among 39 athletes recognized for the award that honors the most versatile player in major college football.
Williams, who was one of six finalists for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award, returns to the watch list alongside Johnson, a first-year Red Raider who was also named to the preseason watch list a year ago while a member of the Pittsburgh football team.
Williams and UCLA's Wayne Knight, a transfer from James Madison, are the only two of the six finalists from 2025 who return to the 2026 watch list. Texas A&M's KC Concepcion won the 2025 Paul Hornung Award.
Listed as a running back, Williams was one of the Red Raiders' most dynamic playmakers in 2025. He averaged 108.9 all-purpose yards per game, totaling 1,525 yards to rank 12th nationally. Williams excelled as a rusher, receiver and returner, recording 868 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, along with 35 receptions for 388 yards and two receiving touchdowns. On special teams, he added 242 kickoff return yards and one touchdown, as well as 27 punt return yards.
Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to make an impact in both the Red Raiders' receiving corps and on special teams. Punt returns were a particular strength for Johnson at Pitt in 2025, where he led the Panthers with 1,036 all-purpose yards. He totaled 179 punt return yards and 159 kickoff return yards, averaging 12.8 yards on 14 punt returns, including one touchdown. Johnson also had five kickoff returns for an average of 31.8 yards, with a season-long return of 78 yards.
Johnson also posted the best receiving season of his career in 2025, recording 48 receptions for 695 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 53.5 receiving yards per game and 14.5 yards per catch, both career highs.
Now in its 17th season, the Paul Hornung Award is presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville in March 2027.
About the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse
The Paul Hornung Award has built an impressive legacy over its first 16 seasons, with nine winners becoming first-round NFL Draft picks — KC Concepcion, Tavon Austin, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Travis Hunter, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers, DeVonta Smith and Shaq Thompson.
Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 in November 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s. He also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. Hornung was named an All-American quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 before becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He earned NFL MVP honors in 1961 for the Packers as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. Hornung is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and legendary coach Vince Lombardi once called him "The most versatile man ever to play the game."
The Paul Hornung Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It is one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Williams, who was one of six finalists for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award, returns to the watch list alongside Johnson, a first-year Red Raider who was also named to the preseason watch list a year ago while a member of the Pittsburgh football team.
Williams and UCLA's Wayne Knight, a transfer from James Madison, are the only two of the six finalists from 2025 who return to the 2026 watch list. Texas A&M's KC Concepcion won the 2025 Paul Hornung Award.
Listed as a running back, Williams was one of the Red Raiders' most dynamic playmakers in 2025. He averaged 108.9 all-purpose yards per game, totaling 1,525 yards to rank 12th nationally. Williams excelled as a rusher, receiver and returner, recording 868 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, along with 35 receptions for 388 yards and two receiving touchdowns. On special teams, he added 242 kickoff return yards and one touchdown, as well as 27 punt return yards.
Johnson, meanwhile, is expected to make an impact in both the Red Raiders' receiving corps and on special teams. Punt returns were a particular strength for Johnson at Pitt in 2025, where he led the Panthers with 1,036 all-purpose yards. He totaled 179 punt return yards and 159 kickoff return yards, averaging 12.8 yards on 14 punt returns, including one touchdown. Johnson also had five kickoff returns for an average of 31.8 yards, with a season-long return of 78 yards.
Johnson also posted the best receiving season of his career in 2025, recording 48 receptions for 695 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 53.5 receiving yards per game and 14.5 yards per catch, both career highs.
Now in its 17th season, the Paul Hornung Award is presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville in March 2027.
About the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse
The Paul Hornung Award has built an impressive legacy over its first 16 seasons, with nine winners becoming first-round NFL Draft picks — KC Concepcion, Tavon Austin, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Travis Hunter, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers, DeVonta Smith and Shaq Thompson.
Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 in November 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s. He also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. Hornung was named an All-American quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956 before becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He earned NFL MVP honors in 1961 for the Packers as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. Hornung is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and legendary coach Vince Lombardi once called him "The most versatile man ever to play the game."
The Paul Hornung Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It is one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
- Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
- Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
- Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
- Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
- Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
- Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
- Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
- Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
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