Utah junior safety Jackson Bennee landed on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List, an honor reserved for college football’s most versatile players. The Louisville Sports Commission dropped the news Monday, spotlighting Bennee’s wild skill set and what he brings to the Utah Utes.
The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, popped up back in 2010 and carries the name of Paul Hornung—maybe the most versatile guy to ever play the game. The 17th winner will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10.
Jackson Bennee’s Stellar Performance in 2025
During the 2025 season, Bennee played in all 13 games. He started 11 times on defense and even three times on offense—how many guys do that?
He led Utah’s secondary with 64 tackles, including 4.0 for loss and half a sack. That effort earned him All Big-12 Honorable Mention.
Bennee was also Utah’s nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the top player who started as a walk-on. That’s a heck of a journey.
Defensive Prowess
On defense, Bennee tied for fourth in the Big 12 with four interceptions. He racked up 103 return yards—second in the league, just behind his teammate Elijah Davis.
His knack for reading plays and snagging picks really stands out. The guy just seems to know where the ball’s going.
Special Teams Impact
Bennee’s not just a defender—he’s everywhere. On special teams, he was one of only 15 FBS players with multiple blocked kicks last season.
He got a hand on a field goal against Arizona State and swatted down a punt versus Colorado. Those are the kind of plays that swing momentum fast.
Offensive Contributions
He even chipped in on offense. Bennee had two rushing attempts for 15 yards and made three catches for 18 yards.
Not huge stats, but it shows he’s willing to jump in wherever the team needs him.
Recognition and Awards
Bennee’s 2025 season definitely turned heads. Along with the Paul Hornung Watch List, he got All Big-12 Honorable Mention and a Burlsworth Trophy nomination.
From walk-on to major contributor—pretty inspiring, honestly.
The Paul Hornung Award
The Paul Hornung Award, with Texas Roadhouse as sponsor, goes each year to college football’s most versatile player. The Louisville Sports Commission created it in 2010, and Paul Hornung himself supported its launch.
This award is all about guys who do a little bit of everything and make their teams better in more ways than one.
Previous Winners and Their Impact
Past winners? Some of the most electric, multi-talented players in college football. A lot of them went on to the NFL and kept making noise.
The award really celebrates how important versatility is in today’s game.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 season coming up, people are watching to see if Bennee keeps up the pace and maybe grabs that Paul Hornung Award.
He’s got a rare skill set—defense, special teams, offense. Utah’s lucky to have him, and honestly, it’ll be fun to see what he does next.
Follow the Utes
If you’re hoping to keep up with Jackson Bennee and the Utah Utes, there are plenty of ways to do it. The team posts updates on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok, if that’s your thing.
You’ll also find the latest news on the official Utah Utes website. For those wanting something a bit more interactive, the Utah 360 app is worth checking out.
Jackson Bennee’s spot on the Paul Hornung Award Watch List really says a lot about his versatility. Curious to dig deeper into his achievements or the award itself? You can read more in the official announcement.
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