Phillips' Named to 2017 Paul Hornung Award Watch List
WESTERN MICHIGAN'S DARIUS PHILLIPS' NAMED TO 2017 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST
Louisville, Ky. - July 17, 2017 - The Louisville Sports Commission today named 46 multi-talented college football players to the 2017 Watch List for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse. From the MAC, Western Michigan defensive back, punt returner and kickoff returner, Darius Phillips was named to this award list, given annually to the nation's most versatile player.
Phillips, 5-10 and 190 lbs., was named the 2016 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and 2016 All-MAC First Team on defense as he returned three interceptions, one kickoff and one punt return for touchdowns during the 2016 season. His three interceptions returned for touchdowns tied the MAC single season record and increased his career total to four interceptions returned for a touchdown, which also tied the MAC career record.
The Paul Hornung Award, now in its eighth season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission, and football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award Banquet presented by KentuckyOne Health, to be held at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville on March 8, 2018. This will be The Paul Hornung Award's second year as an associate member of the prestigious National College Football Awards Association.
This year's Watch List selectees will have big shoes to fill. All four of the 2016 Paul Hornung Award Finalists were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft; the five most recent winners all were drafted in the first round in their respective years. The 2017 Watch List is comprised of one graduate student, 23 seniors, 19 juniors, and three sophomores who play a total of nine different positions. They represent 45 universities in 28 states coast-to-coast across the 10 conferences that are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Players on this year's Watch List accounted for 10,724 rushing yards, 16,853 receiving yards, 13,548 kickoff return yards, 4,092 punt return yards, and 394 total tackles in 2016. Reminiscent of Hornung during his playing days, members of the Watch List demonstrated a knack for scoring numerous ways. Last season the Watch List players combined for 291 total touchdowns in six different ways - passing, rushing, receiving, punt return, kickoff return, and interception.
The 2017 Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of 2016 statistics, career performance, SID recommendations, and expectations heading into the 2017 season. Profiles of each player and information about the Award can be found at www.paulhornungaward.com. Players will be added to the Watch List during the 2017 regular season based on performance.
A panel of college football experts selects players for the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll based on performance each week during the season. A national selection committee comprised of 16 sports journalists and former NFL stars vote for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner, with fan voting powered by Texas Roadhouse comprising the 17th vote. Regional accounting firm Dean Dorton independently tabulates all votes. For more information, visit www.paulhornungaward.com.
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.
