Seven Players from Five Conferences Named Finalists for the 2026 Paul Hornung Award
Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse to Most Versatile Player in Major College Football

Louisville, Ky. – Nov. 12, 2026 – Seven players from the Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, ACC and the AAC were named finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

Making the list are UCLA running back Wayne Knight, who also lines up at wildcat quarterback, slot receiver and handles kick returns; Boise State running back Dylan Riley, a breakaway threat rushing and receiving who also returns kicks; Iowa State running back Aiden Flora, who carries the ball, returns punts and has thrown two touchdown passes; Miami standout wide out Malachi Toney, who has accounted for touchdowns as a receiver and runner who also handles punt returns; FAU wide receiver Easton Messer, who carries the ball, returns punts and has thrown one touchdown pass; Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams, a speedster who also plays slot, wide receiver and returns kickoffs; and Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, a dual-threat, game changer at signal caller who also has one reception on his resume.

The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 17th 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 on March 8, 2027. For information about the dinner, contact Julie Howell at 502-587-6742 or JHowell@Louisvillesports.org.

“These seven finalists embody the versatility, toughness and team-first mentality that defined Paul Hornung’s career,” said Greg Fante, LSC president and CEO. “Each has demonstrated a willingness to make an impact wherever their team needs them, whether on offense, defense or special teams. We’re proud to recognize this outstanding group of student-athletes and the many ways they contribute to their teams’ success.”

Wayne Knight, UCLA
Fifth-year / 5-7, 193
Running back /return specialist
Smyrna, Delaware

An explosive and elusive playmaker, Knight carries the load as a running back, shotgun quarterback and receiver and also contributes as a kick returner. He ranks seventh in the nation with 15 total touchdowns and second in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in all-purpose yards. He recorded more than 100 all-purpose yards in five games. When the Bruins’ starting quarterback was injured, Knight took over the workload in UCLA’s 17-15 road win over Oregon, accounting for 130 all-purpose yards on 26 touches and scoring the winning touchdown. He scored three times – including the game-winner – in a road win over Cal and racked up 252 all-purpose yards and two scores in a win over Purdue.

 

Dylan Riley, Boise State
Junior / 5-10, 203
Running back / return specialist
Moreno Valley, California

Known for his explosive speed, Riley leads the nation and the Pac-12 in all-purpose yards and has recorded more than 200 all-purpose yards in four games and multiple scores in five games. He touched the ball 22 times as a runner, receiver and kick returner for 300 all-purpose yards and three scores in a rout of Colorado State. He touched the ball 24 times in three different ways for 227 all-purpose yards and two scores, including what proved to be the game-winner, in the Broncos’ 38-31 road win over Fresno State. He touched the ball 15 times in three different ways for 158 all-purpose yards and two scores in the Broncos’ 31-10 road win over Washington State.

 

Aiden Flora, Iowa State
Redshirt Sophomore / 6-0, 195
Running back / return specialist
Adel, Iowa

Flora ranks sixth in the nation and is third in the Big 12 in all-purpose yards and provides an added dimension with his passing ability. He touched the ball 24 times in two different ways for 260 total yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner, in the Cyclones’ 45-42 home win over West Virginia: he threw touchdown passes of 46 and two yards and carried the ball 22 times for 222 yards, including scoring runs of 24, 63 and two yards. Fiora touched the ball 17 times in three different ways for 296 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Cyclones’ 55-7 home win over Bowling Green and recorded 223 all-purpose yards and a score against Baylor.

 

Malachi Toney, Miami
Sophomore / 5-11, 193
Wide receiver/return specialist
Liberty City, Florida

An elite receiver and creative playmaker with amazing stop/start ability, Toney leads the nation in yards after the catch, ranks third in the ACC and 16th nationally in all-purpose yards and has scored multiple touchdowns in four games. He earned NCFAA Player-of-the-Week after recording 193 all-purpose yards and accounting for two scores while contributing as a receiver, runner, passer and punt returner in Miami’s double-overtime win over Florida State. He caught a touchdown pass and completed a pass for a two-point conversion in the second overtime. Toney touched the ball 18 times for 222 all-purpose yards and three scores against Pitt and caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns again Stanford.

 

Easton Messer, FAU
Fifth-year / 5-9, 190
Wide receiver/return/specialist
Louisville, Kentucky

Messer ranks second in the AAC and seventh nationally in all-purpose yards. A savvy, all-around player who has thrown a touchdown pass, he accounted for multiple touchdowns in four games – two receiving, two rushing and one punt return against Rice; three receiving and one passing against UTSA; three receiving against North Texas; and two receiving against Navy. He touched the ball 16 times in three different ways for 262 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner on a punt return, in the Owls’ 51-49 win over Rice. He touched the ball 13 times in four different ways for 141 all-purpose yards and four scores in a rout of UTSA.

 

J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech
Junior / 5-10, 185
Running back/return specialist
Beckville, Texas

A breakaway threat who also lines up at slot receiver and wide receiver, Williams ranks second in the Big 12 and fifth nationally in all-purpose yards. He’s surpassed 100 all-purpose yards in eight games and thrice had 200 yards or more. Williams touched the ball 14 times in three different ways for 200 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ 53-25 home win over Arizona State. He touched the ball 16 times in three different ways for 223 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Red Raiders’ 34-26 home win over Arizona, including a 64-yard touchdown run with just over two minutes remaining that put the game out of reach. Williams recorded 202 all-purpose yards and a score in a win over West Virginia.

 

Devon Dampier, Utah
Senior / 5-11, 210
Quarterback
Phoenix, Arizona

A dual-threat quarterback who makes plays with both his arms and his legs, Dampier led the Utes to a 28-20 home win over BYU in the “Holy War,” accounting for 295 total yards and four touchdowns. He threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 89 yards and a pair of scores, including the game-winning, three-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. He also earned the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll in that game after making a spectacular 29-yard circus catch. The Utes remain unbeaten on the season.

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.

2026 Paul Hornung Award Roll

Paul Hornung Award Winners:

 

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