Indiana football sophomore running back and return specialist Jaylin Lucas was named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List Thursday afternoon, per a release from IU Athletics. Bearing the namesake of former Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung, the award recognizes the nation’s most versatile collegiate player.
As a freshman in 2022, Lucas was a standout on special teams. The Houma, Louisiana native garnered All-America honors and was named the Big Ten’s Return Specialist of the Year, the first freshman in program history to do either.
Lucas tallied two kick return scores this past season, the most in the FBS, and notched two rushing touchdowns. He paced the Big Ten in total kick return yardage with 591 and added 271 yards on the ground in 49 carries.
[Related: Jaylin Lucas set for expanded role with Indiana football: ‘I knew how special he was’]
Hornung was a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback with the University of Notre Dame in 1956. He went on to have a decorated professional career as an all-purpose specialist. Hornung was the NFL’s MVP of the 1961 season thanks to his prowess as a halfback, receiver and kicker.
Fifty-three players were named to the initial watch list and Lucas was one of six from the Big Ten. Finalists for the award will be announced Nov. 15 and the winner is slated to be announced on Dec. 6.
