Tulane’s Jha’Quan Jackson makes Hornung Award Watch List

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane wide receiver/returner Jha’Quan Jackson was named to the 2022 Paul Hornung Award Watch List by the Louisville Sports Commission on Thursday.

Now in its 13th season, the award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football in the memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville in March 2023.

More information about the Award can be found at paulhornungaward.com.

Players on the 2022 Watch List represent 52 teams from all 10 football conferences and three independents that are part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.

In 2021, the 52 players on this season’s Watch List accounted for more than 25,000 total yards in total offense and 215 touchdowns rushing, receiving and 16 returning kickoffs and five punts. On defense, the players combined for 325 tackles, six interceptions and one safety.

“Paul Hornung’s approach to playing football at Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers was to take on any assignment in order to help his team win games,” said Karl Schmitt Jr., president & CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, owners and operators of the Award. “We created this award as a way to reward college players who selflessly take on the burden of playing multiple positions and excelling at a high level. In addition, we are pleased to introduce new generations of players to the legacy of Hornung, recognized as one of the most versatile players in the history of college and pro football.”

Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 on Nov. 13, 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with the Irish in the 1950s and also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. He was named All-America at quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956, then was the first player selected in the NFL draft, going to Green Bay. He earned NFL MVP honors for the Packers in 1961 as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and Vince Lombardi once called him, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.”

The 2022 Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of statistics, career performance, SID recommendations and expectations heading into the 2022 season. In addition to the Watch List, the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll will recognize players whose performances during the regular season meet the Award’s criteria. Players from both the Watch List and the Weekly Honor Roll are eligible to win the Award.

Jackson was named to Phil Steele’s 2021 All-American Athletic Conference fourth team after finishing with 1,003 all-purpose yards. Last season, he posted 25 kickoff returns for 551 yards and 13 more on punt return for 132 yards. On offense, he had 17 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown. He also posted 26 yards on the ground.

Steele named him a second team pick at punt returner on his preseason All-AAC team last month.

Linebacker Nick Anderson was similarly recognized by the Wuerffel Trophy earlier Thursday.

2022 Tulane Football season tickets are on sale now for as low as $59! To purchase, go to www.tulanetix.com or call the Tulane Ticket Office at 504-861-9283.