Redshirt freshman wide receiver and return man KJ Hamler has been selected as one of the five finalists for the Louisville Sports Commission's Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.
This is the second-straight year a Penn State player has been named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which was established in 2010. Saquon Barkley won the honor last season. The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football. This year's winner of the award will be announced Dec. 3 and be honored March 7, 2019, at a banquet at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville.
Hamler has 1,118 all-purpose yards this season with an average of 124.2 yards per game, which ranks 26th in FBS. He has 517 receiving yards five touchdowns. Hamler's 18.5 yards per reception rank 26th in FBS. Among his 28 receptions, Hamler had a 93-yard touchdown catch against Ohio State. The play is the second-longest in program history.
The native of Pontiac, Michigan, leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 8 nationally in combined kick return yards with 569, while also ranking 15th in kickoff return average at 26.9 yards per game. Hamler has 10 plays (receiving, rushing, return) of 30 or more yards this season.
The 17-person Paul Hornung Award National Selection Committee chose the finalists, with fans generating the 18th vote online. Fan voting for the winner, powered by Texas Roadhouse, opens today and continues through Dec. 3, 2018, at paulhornungaward.com and will count as the 18th vote. Fans can vote once every 24 hours for their favorite among the five finalists.
"It's impressive the way our finalists are willing to do whatever it takes to help their teams win football games," Hornung said. "They perform at a high level on offense, defense and special teams, and are outstanding team leaders."