Williams, Randall Named to Preseason Watch Lists
By: Staff Report July 31, 2025

The Louisville Sports Commission announced today that wide receiver Antonio Williams has been named as one of 46 members on the 2025 watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the nation’s most versatile player.

Meanwhile, the Wuerffel Foundation announced today that running back Adam Randall has been named as one of 116 players on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, presented annually in recognition of outstanding community service. Randall works extensively with his family’s Randall Foundation to invest in the youth of his home community of Horry County, S.C. He has also participated in service trips on two different continents — in South Africa in 2024 and in Italy in 2025 — in addition to his service domestically.

Following is more information from award organizers:

Paul Hornung Award

Louisville, Ky. – July 31, 2025 – Forty-six players representing schools in ­­­­nine conferences that compete for the Football Bowl Series have been selected for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award Pre-Season Watch List.

Leading the way are 2024 Paul Hornung Award Finalist Isaac Brown from Louisville and 11 players who made the weekly Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll at least one time in 2024 – Davon Booth (Mississippi State), Demond Claborne (Wake Forest), Ja’Quez Cross (Arkansas State), Jacob De Jesus (Cal, transfer from UNLV), Eli Heidenreich (Navy), Martel Hight (Vanderbilt), Jaden Nixon (UCF, transfer from Western Michigan), Koi Perich (Minnesota), Zylan Perry (Louisiana), Kam Shanks (Arkansas, transfer from UAB) and DT Sheffield (Rutgers, transfer from North Texas). The ACC, Big 10 and Big 12 each landed eight players on the Watch List, with the SEC getting seven; followed by the American Conference with six; the MAC with three; and CUSA, the Mountain West and the Sun Belt with two each.

Now in its 16th season, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner March 2026 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky.

More information about the Award can be found at www.paulhornungaward.com.

2025 Watch List Selections
Vinny Anthony II, Wisconsin
Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska
Jadan Baugh, Florida
Hank Beatty, Illinois
Marcus Bellon, Nevada
Davon Booth, Mississippi St.
Isaac Brown, Louisville
Josh Cameron, Baylor
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Ja’Quez Cross, Arkansas St.
Greg Derosiers Jr., Memphis
Jacob De Jesus, Cal
Dylan Edwards, Kansas St.
Brylan Green, Liberty
Ty Harding, UMass
Eli Heidenreich, Navy
Martel Hight, Vanderbilt
Makai Jackson, Indiana
Quinton Jackson, Rice
Kenny Johnson, Pitt
Peyton Jones, Duke
Parker Kingston, BYU
Ismail Mahdi, Arizona
Keelan Marion, Miami
Willie McCoy, UTSA
Easton Messer, FAU
Mekhi Mews, Houston
Jalen Moss, Arizona St.
Jordan Napier, SDSU
Jaden Nixon, UCF
Trebor Pena, Penn St.
Koi Perich, Minnesota
Zylan Perry, Louisiana
Trayvon Rudolph, Toledo
Kam Shanks, Arkansas
DT Sheffield, Rutgers
Hollywood Smothers, NC State
Victor Snow, Buffalo
Smith Snowden, Utah
Kam Thomas, UTEP
Zavion Thomas, LSU
Noah Whittington, Oregon
Ryan Williams, Alabama
Antonio Williams, Clemson
Terrez Worthy, Temple

The players represent 46 different schools and last season combined for more than 42,000 total yards and 266 touchdowns rushing, receiving, passing and returning kicks and punts. The majority of the players on the Watch List play offensive skill positions and are return specialists; three players are defensive backs and return specialists; and there are several players who play both offense and defense.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter, a wide receiver and defensive back, made history as the first two-time winner of the Award in 2024 and cemented his status as the most decorated college football player of all time winning the Heisman Trophy; the Walter Camp, Bednarik and Bilitnikoff Awards; AP and Sporting News College Football Player-of-the-Year; and the Emerging GOAT Award presented by the Muhammad Ali Center. Playing what amounted to a season of all-star football on both sides of the ball, Hunter averaged 112 snaps per game, led the nation with 21 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, ranked second nationally in touchdown receptions and was eighth nationally in passes defended.

The Paul Hornung Award has created an impressive legacy in 15 years including seven winners who were first-round NFL draft picks – Hunter, Tavon Austin, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers, DeVonta Smith and Shaq Thompson.

Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 in Nov. 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s and also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. He was named All-America at quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956, then was the first player selected in the NFL draft, going to Green Bay. He earned NFL MVP honors for the Packers in 1961 as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and Vince Lombardi once called him, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.”

The 2025 Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of statistics, career performance, SID recommendations and expectations heading into the 2025 season. Throughout the regular season, the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll will recognize players whose performances meet the Award’s criteria. Players named to the Watch List and the Weekly Honor Roll are eligible to win the Award.

All votes for the Paul Hornung Award finalists and winner are independently tabulated by Jones, Nale & Mattingly, one of Kentucky’s premier CPA and advisory firms.

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.

Texas Roadhouse signed on as presenting sponsor of the Paul Hornung Award in 2011 and will partner with the Louisville Sports Commission to power fan voting again this season. College football fans nationwide will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite player during the regular season and again during the bowl season. Fan voting will open in late September and factor into the selection of the finalists and winner.

Previous Paul Hornung Award winners by year:

  • 2024: Travis Hunter became the first two-time winner when he averaged 112 snaps per game on offense, defense and special teams and was the first player ever to win the Paul Hornung Award, The Heisman Trophy and six other major awards in the same season.
  • 2023: Travis Hunter from Colorado played offense, defense and special teams, averaged 121 snaps per game; on offense was second on the team with 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns; on defense recorded 31 tackles, five interceptions, five pass deflections and two tackles for loss.
  • 2022: Jack Colletto of Oregon State played fullback, quarterback and receiver on offense; linebacker and defensive back on defense; and was on all special teams. He scored six touchdowns rushing, completed two passes, made 28 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble.
  • 2021: Marcus Jones of Houston was an All-American return specialist and lockdown corner who saw duty on offense. He recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions; returned a pair of kickoffs and punts for touchdowns; and caught 10 passes for 109 yards.
  • 2020: DeVonta Smith of Alabama topped the nation in receiving yards and yards after catch and averaged 24 yards per punt return leading the Crimson Tide to the national championship. He scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning punts and was a gunner on punt coverage.
  • 2019: Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky made the move from all-purpose receiver/wildcat quarterback/return specialist to quarterback in midseason and led the Wildcats to a 5-2 record and Belk Bowl win over Virginia Tech.
  • 2018: Rondale Moore of Purdue was a dynamic All-American freshman sensation who broke the school record for all-purpose yards in a season and a game with 2,215 and 313, respectively.
  • 2017: Saquon Barkley of Penn State was an electrifying All-American running back who lined up at slot and wildcat quarterback, and returned kicks and punts;
  • 2016: Jabrill Peppers of Michigan played 15 different positions on defense, offense and special teams, and earned first-team All-America at linebacker;
  • 2015: Christian McCaffrey of Stanford was a workhorse on offense and special teams who broke the NCAA record for all-purpose yards, finishing with 3,864;
  • 2014: Shaq Thompson of Washington was a two-way player, earning first-team All-American honors at linebacker and finished as the Husky’s second-leading rusher at tailback;
  • 2013: Odell Beckham Jr. of LSU finished the season ranked second in the nation and first in the Southeastern Conference with 2,222 all-purpose yards and 185.2 average yards per game;
  • 2012: Tavon Austin of West Virginia earned All-American by scoring 17 touchdowns receiving, rushing, returning kicks and punts; and amassing 2,272 all-purpose yards, including 572 yards versus Oklahoma.
  • 2011: Brandon Boykin of Georgia was a lockdown cornerback on defense; scored three touchdowns playing quarterback, running back and slot on offense; and led the SEC in punt and kick returns.
  • 2010: Owen Marecic of Stanford was a two-way starter who averaged 110 snaps per game and earned first-team All-Pac-10 at fullback and honorable mention at linebacker.

Below are past winners and finalists who have made their mark in the NFL:

  • Ameer Abdullah RB; Nebraska / Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders
  • Joe Adams WR; Arkansas / Carolina Panthers
  • Antonio Andrews RB; Western Kentucky / Tennessee Titans
  • Dri Archer RB; Kent State / Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Tavon Austin WR; West Virginia / St. Louis, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys RB, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Saquon Barkley* RB; Penn State / New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Odell Beckham Jr WR; LSU / New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins
  • Lynn Bowden, Jr. WR; Kentucky / Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints
  • Brandon Boykin CB/DB; Georgia / Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens
  • Randall Cobb WR; Kentucky / Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, New York Jets
  • D’Wayne Eskridge* WR; Western Michigan / Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins
  • Travis Etienne* RB; Clemson / Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire* RB; LSU / Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints
  • Jahmyr Gibbs* RB; Alabama / Detroit Lions
  • Marcus Green WR; Louisiana-Monroe / Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Marion Grice RB; Arizona State / San Diego, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals
  • Justin Hall WR; Ball State / Las Vegas Raiders
  • KJ Hamler* WR; Penn State / Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills
  • N’Keal Harry WR; Arizona State / New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings
  • Nyheim Hines* RB; NC State / Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers
  • Travis Hunter* WR/CB; Colorado / Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Myles Jack ILB; UCLA / Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Adoree’ Jackson* CB; USC / Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles
  • LaMichael James RB; Oregon / Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers
  • Marcus Jones*, CB; Houston / New England Patriots
  • Jeremy Kerley WR; TCU / New York Jets, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills
  • Joel Lanning LB; Iowa State / Dallas Cowboys
  • Marqise Lee WR; USC / Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers
  • Johnny Manziel QB; Texas A&M / Cleveland Browns
  • Owen Marecic DB/RB; Stanford / Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers
  • Christian McCaffrey* RB; Stanford / Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers
  • Ty Montgomery RB/WR; Stanford / Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, NewOrleans Saints, New England Patriots
  • Rondale Moore* WR; Purdue / Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings
  • Marcus Murphy RB; Missouri / New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers
  • Robert Nkemdiche DT; Ole Miss / Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers
  • Jabrill Peppers* DB/FS; Michigan / Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots
  • Dante Pettis* WR; Washington / San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints
  • Jayden Reed* WR; Michigan State / Green Bay Packers
  • Joe Reed WR; Virginia / Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears
  • DeVonta Smith* WR; Alabama / Philadelphia Eagles
  • Shaq Thompson* LB; Washington / Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills
  • Kadarius Toney WR; Florida / New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns
  • Sione Vaki* RB; Utah / Detroit Lions
  • Dede Westbrook WR; Oklahoma / Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings
  • Tyler Warren* TE; Penn State / Indianapolis Colts
  • Kyren Williams* RB; Notre Dame / Los Angeles Rams

*Currently active in NFL

Wuerffel Trophy

Atlanta, GA – July 31, 2025 – The Wuerffel Foundation today announced a record 116 nominees to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, recognizing college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.

Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy’s founding.

“Every year, I’m deeply moved by these student-athletes,”,” said Danny Wuerffel. “They lead with their heart. Each of our nominees is making a real difference in the lives of others, and their stories remind us what true greatness looks like.”

For the second consecutive year, the Wuerffel Foundation is partnering with Allstate to unite college football’s top community service honors through the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. Eleven student-athletes from the Watch List will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and serve as semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.

The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2025 recipient will also serve as Captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on December 12th, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on January 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Penn State’s Nick Dawkins, the 2024 recipient, joined Wuerffel in New York City for the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremonies – a tradition the 2025 recipient will continue.

The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision are (alphabetically by college):

OL Keylen Davis, Akron
DL LT Overton, Alabama
CB Ethan Johnson, App State
DB Genesis Smith, Arizona
WR Coben Bourguet, Arizona State
DL Cam Ball, Arkansas
WR Corey Rucker Jr., Arkansas State
OG Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
QB Kiael Kelly, Ball State
QB Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
LB Marco Notarainni, Boise State
RB Alex Broome, Boston College
QB Drew Pyne, Bowling Green
LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
NB/S Tanner Wall, BYU
TE Jeffery Johnson, Cal
DE/Edge Michael Heldman, Central Michigan
DE/Edge Braden Mullen, Charlotte
C Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati
RB Adam Randall, Clemson
NB/S Jayden Jackson, Coastal Carolina
RB Charlie Offerdahl, Colorado
WR Jake Thaw, Delaware
CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
RB Marlon Gunn Jr., East Carolina
DL Jefferson Adam, Eastern Michigan
NB/S Shamir Sterlin, FIU
QB DJ Lagway, Florida
QB Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic
OL Richie Leonard IV, Florida State
WR Jordan Brown, Fresno State
DL Jordan Hall, Georgia
OG Pichon Wimbley, Georgia Southern
QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech
LB Kenenna Odeluga, Illinois
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
OL Gennings Ducker, Iowa
QB Rocco Becht, Iowa State
QB Blake Kendall, James Madison
TE Leyton Cure, Kansas
DT Damian Ilalio, Kansas State
DB JeRico Washington, Jr., Kennesaw State
DL Mattheus Carroll, Kent State
TE Josh Kattus, Kentucky
NB/S Elijah Auguste, Liberty
TE Caden Jensen, Louisiana
TE Eli Finley, Louisiana Tech
DL Clev Lubin, Louisville
LB Harold Perkins JR, LSU
TE Toby Payne, Marshall
LS Ethan Gough, Maryland
LB Donovan Mathena, Memphis
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
LB Jordan Hall, Michigan State
QB Nicholas Vattiato, Middle Tennessee
DL Anthony Smith, Minnesota
OL Jacoby Jackson, Mississippi State
C Connor Tollison, Missouri
DT Brandon Cleveland, NC State
OT Teddy Prochazka, Nebraska
OL Abiathar Curry, NIU
WR Landon Sides, North Texas
DL Najee Story, Northwestern
OL Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
DB Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
LB Koa Naotala, Old Dominion
OT Diego Pounds, Ole Miss
OL Matthew Bedford, Oregon
LS Dylan Black, Oregon State
OL Cooper Cousins, Penn State
QB Eli Holstein, Pitt
RB Devin Mockobee, Purdue
NB/S Plae Wyatt, Rice
K Jai Patel, Rutgers
LB Taniela Latu, San Jose State
LB Alexander Kilgore, SMU
WR Devin Voisin, South Alabama
RB Oscar Adaway III, South Carolina
QB Braylon Braxton, Southern Miss
TE Sam Roush, Stanford
LB Derek McDonald, Syracuse
DE/Edge Paul Oyewale, TCU
NB/S Willy Love, Temple
DT Bryson Eason, Tennessee
DB Michael Taafe, Texas
DL Albert Regis, Texas A&M
RB Lincoln Pare, Texas State
QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech
OL Matt Hofer, Toledo
TE Ty Thompson, Tulane
QB Stephen Kittleman, Tulsa
DT Denver Warren, UAB
OL Paul Rubelt, UCF
OL Julian Armella, UCLA
OG Elijah Fisher, ULM
OL Brock Taylor, UMass
DB Will Hardy, UNC
QB Cameron Friel, UNLV
LB Anthony Beavers Jr., USC
WR Christian Helms, USF
QB Devon Dampier, Utah
LB Bronson Olevao Jr., Utah State
OL Tyrone McDuffie III, UTEP
DE/Edge Camron Cooper, UTSA
NB/S Marlen Sewell, Vanderbilt
LB Stevie Bracey, Virginia
NB/S Tyson Flowers, Virginia Tech
DB Zamari Stevenson, Wake Forest
DE/Edge Zach Durfee, Washington
QB Zevi Eckhaus, Washington State
QB Nicco Marchiol, West Virginia
DL Tyson Lee, Western Michigan
CB Ricardo Hallman, Wisconsin
OT Marshall Jackson, WKU
TE Evan Svoboda, Wyoming

Past recipients of the Wuerffel Trophy include Rudy Niswanger – LSU – 2005; Joel Penton – Ohio State – 2006; Paul Smith – Tulsa – 2007; Tim Tebow – Florida – 2008; Tim Hiller – Western Michigan – 2009; Sam Acho – Texas – 2010; Barrett Jones – Alabama – 2011; Matt Barkley – USC – 2012; Gabe Ikard – Oklahoma – 2013; Deterrian Shackelford – Ole Miss – 2014; Ty Darlington – Oklahoma – 2015; Trevor Knight – Texas A&M – 2016; Courtney Love – Kentucky – 2017; Drue Tranquill – Notre Dame – 2018; Jon Wassink – Western Michigan – 2019; Teton Saltes – New Mexico – 2020; Isaiah Sanders – Stanford– 2021; Dillan Gibbons – Florida State – 2022 and Ladd McConkey – Georgia – 2023; Nick Dawkins – Penn State – 2024.

The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is also supported by its corporate partners Dart Container Corporation/Solo Cup and Herff Jones.