Four Players from Four Conferences Earn Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll in Week Four
Travis Hunter, Colorado; Devonte Ross, Troy; DT Sheffield, North Texas; Brashard Smith, SMU named to PHA Honor Roll Week Four
Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football
Louisville, Ky. – Sept. 24, 2024 – Four players representing the Big 12, Sun Belt, ACC and AAC were named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for their performances in week four of the college football season. Making the list are Travis Hunter, Colorado; Devonte Ross, Troy; DT Sheffield, North Texas; and Brashard Smith, SMU.
The National College Football Awards Association will honor Hunter as the Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week for his unparalleled performance in Colorado’s win over Big 12 rival Baylor.
Colorado junior defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter played offense, defense and special teams for the Buffaloes, logging 139 total snaps in CU’s wild, 38-31 come-from-behind home win against Baylor in overtime. On offense, Hunter played 79 snaps and caught seven passes for 130 yards, including five for first downs. He played all 62 snaps on defense, had no balls thrown in his direction and made two pass-support tackles in regulation. In overtime, Hunter forced a fumble on a run play at the goal line that went out of the end zone for a touchback and ended the game.
Troy junior wide receiver/return specialist Devonte Ross touched the ball 14 times four different ways racking up 334 total yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 34-12 home win over FAMU. He caught 11 passes for 299 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter that proved to be the winning score, a 44-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that put the game out of reach, and a 90-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter for the game’s final score. He also handled one kickoff return, one punt return and carried the ball once.
North Texas wide receiver/return specialist DT Sheffield touched the ball 13 times three different ways and scored once in the Mean Green’s 44-17 home win over Wyoming. Sheffield caught nine passes for 109 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Four of Sheffield’s receptions accounted for first downs, including three key first downs on scoring drives. He returned a kickoff 24 yards and three punts for a total of 30 yards, including a 20-yard return to near midfield that led to a field goal.
SMU senior running back/return specialist Brashard Smith touched the ball 21 times three different ways for 190 yards in total yards and four touchdowns in the Mustangs’ 66-42 thrashing of TCU at home. Brashard carried the ball 18 times for 127 yards, caught two passes for 24 yards and returned a kickoff 39 yards. He scored on a 24-yard run in the first half, caught a 24-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winner and added a pair of one-yard scoring runs in the third and fourth quarters that sealed the win for SMU.
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 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.
2024 Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll
- Week 1: Quali Conley, Arizona; Travis Hunter, Colorado; Desmond Reid, Pitt; and Nicholas Singleton, Penn State.
- Week 2: Desmond Claiborne, Wake Forest; Quali Conley, Arizona; Travis Hunter, Colorado; Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State; and Zylan Perry, Louisiana
- Week 3: Travis Hunter, Colorado; Jaden Nixon, Western Michigan; Nay’Quan Wright, South Florida