Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football

Louisville, Ky. – Nov. 6, 2025 – Six players representing the Big Ten, SEC, Sun Belt, ACC and Big 12 Conferences, plus one independent, were named finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

Making the list are Washington’s Jonah Coleman, a workhorse running back and prolific scorer and receiver who also returns kickoffs; Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, a standout wide receiver who has returned two punts for touchdowns; James Madison’s Wayne Knight, a speedy running back who also returns punts and kickoffs; Louisville’s Caullin Lacy, a blazing wide receiver and primary kickoff and punt return specialist with two scores handling punts; Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price, a dynamic running back with scores rushing and receiving plus two, 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns; and Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams, an outstanding running back and receiver out of the backfield with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

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. For information about the dinner, contact Julie Howell at 502-587-6742 or JHowell@Louisvillesports.org.

“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.”

 

Jonah Coleman, Washington
Senior / 5-9, 220 lbs.
Running back/return specialist
Stockton, Calif.

A workhorse running back who sees spot duty returning kickoffs, Coleman has 126 carries and a 5.1 per carry average, ranks third on the team in receptions and averages nearly 20 touches per game from scrimmage. He leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in rushing touchdowns, is fourth nationally in scoring. Coleman made the Honor Roll in Week Six when he touched the ball 28 times three different ways and scored the game-winning touchdown when the Huskies overcame a 20-point deficit to shock Maryland 24-20 in College Park. He also made the Honor Roll in Week One with 225 all-purpose yards rushing, receiving, handled a kickoff and punt return and scored twice on the ground in the Huskies’ win over Colorado State.

Season stats:

 

KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Junior / 5-11, 190 lbs.
Wide receiver / return specialist
Charlotte, N.C.

A prolific scorer at wide receiver, Concepcion has seven touchdowns, five carries for 9.4 yards per carry and is a dangerous punt returner. He is tied for second nationally and in the SEC in punt return touchdowns and ranks second in the SEC in average yards per return. Concepcion made a major impact two different ways when the Aggies overwhelmed LSU at night in Death Valley – hauling in a 15-yard scoring strike late in the first quarter, then racing 79 yards to the end zone with the punt return midway through the third quarter to seal the win. He made the Honor Roll in Week Six, touching the ball nine times three different ways and scoring two touchdown receptions in A&M’s home win over Mississippi State, including the game-winner late in the third quarter.

Season stats:

 

Wayne Knight, James Madison
Junior / 5-7, 190 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Smyrna, Del.

The team’s leading rusher and one of the top pass game targets also serves as the primary punt returner, averaging 9.2 yards per return. He ranks third in the nation in all-purpose yards. Knight earned the Honor Roll in Week Five when he touched the ball 28 times three different ways for a career-best 199 all-purpose yards and scored on a 40-yard touchdown run in the Knights’ 35-10 home win over Georgia Southern. He made the Honor Roll in Week Six, touching the ball 20 times three different ways and scoring the winning touchdown on a nine-yard run in the fourth quarter in James Madison’s 14-7 road win over Georgia State.

Season stats:

 

Caullin Lacy, Louisville
Senior / 5-10, 190 lbs.
Wide receiver / return specialist
Mobile, Ala.

Primarily a wide receiver who also handles kickoff and punt returns, Lacy ranks fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, is tied for second nationally in punt returns for touchdowns and second in the ACC in average yards per punt return. He made the Honor Roll in Week Four, touching the ball 13 times receiving and returning kicks and punts for 268 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Cards’ 40-17 home win over Bowling Green. Lacy was named Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week in Week 10 in UofL’s come-from-behind win at Virginia Tech with a stellar six-minute stretch in the third quarter: he made a 24-yard touchdown reception, returned a punt 63 yards to the five-yard line setting up the winning score and a returned punt 23 yards to midfield to give the Cardinals excellent field position.

Season stats:

 

Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Junior / 5-11, 210 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Denison, Tex.

A proven scorer, Price has found the end zone 11 times three different ways – rushing, receiving and on kickoff returns (tied for national lead with two kickoff return touchdowns). He leads the nation with an astounding 40.2 yards per kickoff return and averages 6.7 yards per carry from scrimmage. Price was named Paul Hornung Award National Player-of-the-Week for his massive performance in Notre Dame’s win over USC, touching the ball three different ways for 209 all-purpose yards, two rushing touchdowns and a game-winning 100-yard kickoff return for a score late in the third quarter. He also made a huge impact in the Irish’s 56-30 win over Purdue, recording 214 all-purpose yards, three rushing touchdowns and a 100-yard kickoff return that proved to be the game winner.

Season stats:

 

J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech
Sophomore / 5-10, 185 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Beckville, Tex.

An outstanding athlete who is primarily a running back and prolific pass catcher out of the backfield, Williams also handles kickoff returns. He has scored rushing, receiving and returning kicks and leads the Big 12 in all-purpose yards per game. Williams earned the Honor Roll in Week Nine, touching the ball eight times three different ways and scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return to open the game and a 46-yard reception as the Red Raiders overwhelmed Oklahoma State 42-0 in Lubbock. He made the Honor Roll in Week 10, touching the ball 19 times three different ways – including 17 carries for 135 yards – and scoring on a 43-yard run in Texas Tech’s 43-20 win over Kansas State in Manhattan.

Season stats:

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.

2025 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll

All votes for the Paul Hornung Award are independently tabulated by regional accounting firm Jones Nale & Mattingly PLC, one of Kentucky’s leading CPA and advisory firms with a long-standing history of serving clients throughout Kentucky, Indiana and the Eastern United States.

Paul Hornung Award Winners:

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ABOUT Louisville Sports Commission

The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to create a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. The LSC attracts and hosts sporting events and activities that have a positive economic impact on Louisville, enhance the area’s image as a premier sports destination and promote active lifestyles to improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. More information is available online at www.louisvillesports.org, www.facebook.com/louisvillesportscommission and @SportsinLou.

ABOUT Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse was founded by Kent Taylor in 1993 and has more than 721 locations in 49 states and 10 foreign countries. This Louisville-based company has a family of three brands, including Bubba’s 33 with 50 locations in 15 states and Jaggers with over 14 locations in multiple states. Bubba’s 33 was founded in 2013 and Jaggers in 2014, each with their own signature menu items and made-from-scratch food. All three concepts have received national and local recognition. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.

ABOUT Jones Nale & Mattingly

For more than 85 years, Jones Nale & Mattingly (JNM) has been more than accountants — we are trusted advisors, business partners and problem-solvers. We provide independent, objective guidance to help clients make informed decisions, simplify complexity and achieve peace of mind. Our hands-on approach and specialized expertise serve a wide range of industries, including construction, long-term care, financial institutions and more. Whether for business, personal, not-for-profit or government needs, JNM delivers lasting solutions that stand the test of time. For more information, visit www.jnmcpa.com.

ABOUT National College Football Awards Association

The Paul Hornung Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.