Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Lacy Named Paul Hornung Award Finalist
November 06, 2025 | Football
Louisville, Ky. – Nov. 6, 2025 – University of Louisville wide receiver and return specialist Caullin Lacy was named one of six finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
Including Lacy, making the lists were Washington's Jonah Coleman, a workhorse running back and prolific scorer and receiver who also returns kickoffs; Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, a standout wide receiver who has returned two punts for touchdowns; Texas Tech's J'Koby Williams, an outstanding running back and receiver out of the backfield with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown; Notre Dame's Jadarian Price, a dynamic running back with scores rushing and receiving plus two, 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns; and James Madison's Wayne Knight, a speedy running back who lines up at wildcat QB and returns punts and kickoffs.
Lacy is one of the top all-purpose standouts in the nation, playing wide receiver and handling the punt and kickoff return duties. Lacy ranks fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, is tied for second nationally in punt returns for touchdowns and second in the ACC in average yards per punt return.
The native of Mobile, Ala., is second on the team with 44 receptions for 422 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As the team's primary punt returner, Lacy is third nationally with an average of 23.4 yards a return and is one of five players in the country with two or more punt returns for a touchdown. He became the first player in school history with a pair of returns for a touchdown of over 75 yards. He opened the year with a 95-yard score and added a 75-yarder versus Bowling Green.
Lacy made the Honor Roll in Week Four, touching the ball 13 times receiving and returning kicks and punts for 268 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Cards' 40-17 home win over Bowling Green. Lacy was named Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week in Week 10 in UofL's come-from-behind win at Virginia Tech with a stellar six-minute stretch in the third quarter: he made a 24-yard touchdown reception, returned a punt 63 yards to the five-yard line setting up the winning score and a returned punt 23 yards to midfield to give the Cardinals field position.
The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 16th 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 in March 2026. For information about the dinner, contact Julie Howell at 502-587-6742 or JHowell@Louisvillesports.org.
"These guys are true gamers, just like Paul Hornung," said Greg Fante, LSC president and CEO. "When he played for Notre Dame, Paul excelled on offense, defense and special teams, always doing whatever it took to help his team win. He would be proud of this year's finalists."
Jonah Coleman, Washington
Senior / 5-9, 220 lbs.
Running back/return specialist
Stockton, Calif.
A workhorse running back who sees spot duty returning kickoffs, Coleman has 126 carries and a 5.1 per carry average, ranks third on the team in receptions and averages nearly 20 touches per game from scrimmage. He leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in rushing touchdowns, and is fourth nationally in scoring. Coleman made the Honor Roll in Week Six when he touched the ball 28 times three different ways and scored the game-winning touchdown when the Huskies overcame a 20-point deficit to shock Maryland 24-20 in College Park. He also made the Honor Roll in Week One with 225 all-purpose yards rushing, receiving, handled a kickoff and punt return and scored twice on the ground in the Huskies' win over Colorado State.
Season stats:
Junior / 5-11, 190 lbs.
Wide receiver / return specialist
Charlotte, N.C.
A prolific scorer at wide receiver, Concepcion has seven touchdowns, five carries for 9.4 yards per carry and is a prolific punt returner. He is tied for second nationally and in the SEC in punt return touchdowns and ranks second in the SEC in average yards per return. Concepcion made a major impact two different ways when the Aggies overwhelmed LSU at night in Death Valley – hauling in a 15-yard scoring strike late in the first quarter, then racing 79 yards to the end zone with the punt return midway through the third quarter to seal the win. He made the Honor Roll in Week Six, touching the ball nine times three different ways and scoring two touchdown receptions in A&M's home win over Mississippi State, including the game-winner late in the third quarter.
Season stats:
Junior / 5-7, 190 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Smyrna, Del.
The team's leading rusher and top-notch receiver out of the backfield, Knight also lines up at wildcat quarterback and serves as the primary punt returner, averaging 9.2 yards per return. He ranks third in the nation in all-purpose yards. Knight earned the Honor Roll in Week Five when he touched the ball 28 times three different ways for a career-best 199 all-purpose yards and scored on a 40-yard touchdown run in the Knights' 35-10 home win over Georgia Southern. He made the Honor Roll in Week Six, touching the ball 20 times three different ways and scoring the winning touchdown on a nine-yard run in the fourth quarter in James Madison's 14-7 road win over Georgia State.
Season stats:
Senior / 5-10, 190 lbs.
Wide receiver / return specialist
Mobile, Ala.
Primarily a wide receiver who also handles kickoff and punt returns, Lacy ranks fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, is tied for second nationally in punt returns for touchdowns and second in the ACC in average yards per punt return. He made the Honor Roll in Week Four, touching the ball 13 times receiving and returning kicks and punts for 268 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Cards' 40-17 home win over Bowling Green. Lacy was named Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week in Week 10 in UofL's come-from-behind win at Virginia Tech with a stellar six-minute stretch in the third quarter: he made a 24-yard touchdown reception, returned a punt 49 yards to the five-yard line setting up the winning score and a returned punt 23 yards to midfield to give the Cardinals field position.
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Junior / 5-11, 210 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Denison, Tex.
A prolific scorer, Price has found the end zone 11 times three different ways – rushing, receiving and on kickoff returns (tied for national lead with two kickoff return touchdowns). He leads the nation with an astounding 40.2 yards per kickoff return and averages 6.7 yards per carry from scrimmage. Price was named Paul Hornung Award National Player-of-the-Week for his massive performance in Notre Dame's win over USC, touching the ball three different ways for 209 all-purpose yards, two rushing touchdowns and a 100-yard kickoff return for a score late in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winner. He also made a huge impact in the Irish's 56-30 win over Purdue, recording 214 all-purpose yards, three rushing touchdowns and a 100-yard kickoff return that proved to be the game winner.
Season stats:
Sophomore / 5-1, 185 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Beckville, Tex.
An outstanding athlete who is primarily a running back and prolific pass catcher out of the backfield, Williams also handles kickoff returns. He has scored rushing, receiving and returning kicks and leads the Big 12 in all-purpose yards per game. Williams earned the Honor Roll in Week Nine, touching the ball eight times three different ways and scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return to open the game and a 46-yard reception as the Red Raiders overwhelmed Oklahoma State 42-0 in Lubbock. He made the Honor Roll in Week 10, touching the ball 19 times three different ways – including 17 carries for 135 yards – and scoring on a 43-yard run in Texas Tech's 43-20 win over Kansas State in Manhattan.
Season stats:
Including Lacy, making the lists were Washington's Jonah Coleman, a workhorse running back and prolific scorer and receiver who also returns kickoffs; Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, a standout wide receiver who has returned two punts for touchdowns; Texas Tech's J'Koby Williams, an outstanding running back and receiver out of the backfield with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown; Notre Dame's Jadarian Price, a dynamic running back with scores rushing and receiving plus two, 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns; and James Madison's Wayne Knight, a speedy running back who lines up at wildcat QB and returns punts and kickoffs.
Lacy is one of the top all-purpose standouts in the nation, playing wide receiver and handling the punt and kickoff return duties. Lacy ranks fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, is tied for second nationally in punt returns for touchdowns and second in the ACC in average yards per punt return.
The native of Mobile, Ala., is second on the team with 44 receptions for 422 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As the team's primary punt returner, Lacy is third nationally with an average of 23.4 yards a return and is one of five players in the country with two or more punt returns for a touchdown. He became the first player in school history with a pair of returns for a touchdown of over 75 yards. He opened the year with a 95-yard score and added a 75-yarder versus Bowling Green.
Lacy made the Honor Roll in Week Four, touching the ball 13 times receiving and returning kicks and punts for 268 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Cards' 40-17 home win over Bowling Green. Lacy was named Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week in Week 10 in UofL's come-from-behind win at Virginia Tech with a stellar six-minute stretch in the third quarter: he made a 24-yard touchdown reception, returned a punt 63 yards to the five-yard line setting up the winning score and a returned punt 23 yards to midfield to give the Cardinals field position.
The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, now in its 16th 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 in March 2026. For information about the dinner, contact Julie Howell at 502-587-6742 or JHowell@Louisvillesports.org.
"These guys are true gamers, just like Paul Hornung," said Greg Fante, LSC president and CEO. "When he played for Notre Dame, Paul excelled on offense, defense and special teams, always doing whatever it took to help his team win. He would be proud of this year's finalists."
Jonah Coleman, Washington
Senior / 5-9, 220 lbs.
Running back/return specialist
Stockton, Calif.
A workhorse running back who sees spot duty returning kickoffs, Coleman has 126 carries and a 5.1 per carry average, ranks third on the team in receptions and averages nearly 20 touches per game from scrimmage. He leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally in rushing touchdowns, and is fourth nationally in scoring. Coleman made the Honor Roll in Week Six when he touched the ball 28 times three different ways and scored the game-winning touchdown when the Huskies overcame a 20-point deficit to shock Maryland 24-20 in College Park. He also made the Honor Roll in Week One with 225 all-purpose yards rushing, receiving, handled a kickoff and punt return and scored twice on the ground in the Huskies' win over Colorado State.
Season stats:
- All-Purpose: 1,016 yards, 127.0 per game
- Rushing: 126 rushes, 643 yards, 13 touchdowns
- Receiving: 27 receptions, 316 yards, two touchdowns
- Kick Return: three kickoff returns, 57 yards
Junior / 5-11, 190 lbs.
Wide receiver / return specialist
Charlotte, N.C.
A prolific scorer at wide receiver, Concepcion has seven touchdowns, five carries for 9.4 yards per carry and is a prolific punt returner. He is tied for second nationally and in the SEC in punt return touchdowns and ranks second in the SEC in average yards per return. Concepcion made a major impact two different ways when the Aggies overwhelmed LSU at night in Death Valley – hauling in a 15-yard scoring strike late in the first quarter, then racing 79 yards to the end zone with the punt return midway through the third quarter to seal the win. He made the Honor Roll in Week Six, touching the ball nine times three different ways and scoring two touchdown receptions in A&M's home win over Mississippi State, including the game-winner late in the third quarter.
Season stats:
- All-Purpose: 901 yards, 112.6 per game
- Rushing: five rushes, 47 yards
- Receiving: 36 receptions, 545 yards, seven touchdowns
- Punt Return: 14 punt returns, 309 yards, two touchdowns
Junior / 5-7, 190 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Smyrna, Del.
The team's leading rusher and top-notch receiver out of the backfield, Knight also lines up at wildcat quarterback and serves as the primary punt returner, averaging 9.2 yards per return. He ranks third in the nation in all-purpose yards. Knight earned the Honor Roll in Week Five when he touched the ball 28 times three different ways for a career-best 199 all-purpose yards and scored on a 40-yard touchdown run in the Knights' 35-10 home win over Georgia Southern. He made the Honor Roll in Week Six, touching the ball 20 times three different ways and scoring the winning touchdown on a nine-yard run in the fourth quarter in James Madison's 14-7 road win over Georgia State.
Season stats:
- All-Purpose: 1,103 yards, 137.9 per game
- Rushing: 106 rushes, 659 yards, five touchdowns
- Receiving: 25 receptions, 234 yards
- Kick Return: four kick returns, 89 yards
- Punt Return: 13 punt returns, 121 yards
Senior / 5-10, 190 lbs.
Wide receiver / return specialist
Mobile, Ala.
Primarily a wide receiver who also handles kickoff and punt returns, Lacy ranks fifth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game, is tied for second nationally in punt returns for touchdowns and second in the ACC in average yards per punt return. He made the Honor Roll in Week Four, touching the ball 13 times receiving and returning kicks and punts for 268 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Cards' 40-17 home win over Bowling Green. Lacy was named Paul Hornung Award Player-of-the-Week in Week 10 in UofL's come-from-behind win at Virginia Tech with a stellar six-minute stretch in the third quarter: he made a 24-yard touchdown reception, returned a punt 49 yards to the five-yard line setting up the winning score and a returned punt 23 yards to midfield to give the Cardinals field position.
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Junior / 5-11, 210 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Denison, Tex.
A prolific scorer, Price has found the end zone 11 times three different ways – rushing, receiving and on kickoff returns (tied for national lead with two kickoff return touchdowns). He leads the nation with an astounding 40.2 yards per kickoff return and averages 6.7 yards per carry from scrimmage. Price was named Paul Hornung Award National Player-of-the-Week for his massive performance in Notre Dame's win over USC, touching the ball three different ways for 209 all-purpose yards, two rushing touchdowns and a 100-yard kickoff return for a score late in the third quarter that proved to be the game-winner. He also made a huge impact in the Irish's 56-30 win over Purdue, recording 214 all-purpose yards, three rushing touchdowns and a 100-yard kickoff return that proved to be the game winner.
Season stats:
- All-Purpose: 930 yards, 116.3 per game
- Rushing: 85 rushes, 521 yards, eight touchdowns
- Receiving: three receptions, 47 yards, one touchdown
- Kick Return: nine kick returns, 362 yards, two touchdowns
Sophomore / 5-1, 185 lbs.
Running back / return specialist
Beckville, Tex.
An outstanding athlete who is primarily a running back and prolific pass catcher out of the backfield, Williams also handles kickoff returns. He has scored rushing, receiving and returning kicks and leads the Big 12 in all-purpose yards per game. Williams earned the Honor Roll in Week Nine, touching the ball eight times three different ways and scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return to open the game and a 46-yard reception as the Red Raiders overwhelmed Oklahoma State 42-0 in Lubbock. He made the Honor Roll in Week 10, touching the ball 19 times three different ways – including 17 carries for 135 yards – and scoring on a 43-yard run in Texas Tech's 43-20 win over Kansas State in Manhattan.
Season stats:
- All-Purpose: 1,032 yards, 114.7 per game
- Rushing: 92 rushes, 525 yards, five touchdowns
- Receiving: 21 receptions, 300 yards, two touchdowns
- Kick Return: four kick returns, 207 yards
Players Mentioned
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