2015 Preseason Award Projections: Hornung Award

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2015 college football season, WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises, and the next fall’s stars could be the headline players next May for the 2016 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.

The Paul Hornung Award is given to the most versatile player in college football. Last year’s winner was Washington linebacker/running back Shaq Thompson.

Paul Hornung Award Winner:

Adoree Jackson, USC

Jackson a freshman starter in 2014 who became a sensation as he contributed as both a wide receiver and returner/coverage-defender on special teams. Defensively, Jackson had 49 tackles with 10 passes deflected. He also caught 10 receptions for 138 yards with three touchdowns on offense. Additionally, the freshman returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and averaged 30 yards per kick return.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder is an explosive play-maker. He has a ton of upside to be a star over the next two seasons for the Trojans and looks like an ideal candidate for the Paul Hornung Award.




Paul Hornung Award Runner-Up:

Byron Marshall, Oregon

Marshall is a wide receiver and running back who has been very productive for Oregon. He caught 74 passes for 1,003 yards with six touchdowns in 2014. On the ground, Marshall averaged 7.5 yards per carry for 392 yards with a score. With Marcus Mariota in the NFL, the Ducks will lean on their skill players like Marshall to pick up the slack. He could be a definite candidate to win the Hornung Award.




Paul Hornung Award Dark Horse:

Myles Jack, UCLA

Jack is a dark horse because he may not play any position other than linebacker next season. Jack became a superstar in 2013 as he was named the Pac-12’s Offensive AND Defensive Freshman of the Year. On the defensive side of the ball, Jack had 75 tackles with 11 passes broken up and two interceptions. His pass-coverage skills for a freshman were outstanding. On offense, Jack played running back because of injuries. He ran for 267 yards on 38 carries (7.0 average) with seven touchdowns. As a sophomore, Jack played defense solely, but if he does double duty as a junior, like Shaq Thompson did last year, he is definitely capable of winning the Paul Hornung Award.

Honorable Mentions: Texas A&M WR Speedy Noil, Miami WR Stacy Coley, South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper and LSU RB Leonard Fournette.











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