Two Florida football players − sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III and junior running back Jadan Baugh − were name to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, the Louisville Sports Commission announced on Monday, August 10.
Since 2010, The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football.
Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the number one pick in the 1957 NFL draft. During Hornung’s career with the Irish, he played every position in the backfield, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks, and played defensive back.
In 2025, Baugh started all 12 games for the Florida Gators and lead the team with 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Baugh also caught 21 passes for 185 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Baugh’s 10 total TD on the season also led the Gators in 2025.
Brown enters the 2026 season after having led the Gators with 40 receptions for 512 yards, becoming the first true freshman in program history to lead the team in catches and receiving yards. Brown also served as the UF’s primary punt and kick returner for most of the 2025 season, tallying 261 return yards across 18 kick and punt returns.
Brown was one of two freshman and 18 players in the FBS to have five punt returns of at least 20-plus yards. Brown’s performance in the 2025 season saw him earn Freshman All-SEC honors at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist.
For more information on the Paul Hornung Award and the full 2026 watch list, click here.
Florida football K Patrick Durkin named to Groza Award Watch List
Florida kicker Patrick Durkin has been named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, given annually to college football’s top kicker.
A transfer from Tulane, Durkin connected on 25-of-28 field goal attempts (89.3%) for the Green Wave last season and 41-of-42 extra points.
Durkin’s 89.3% field goal accuracy is the second best among returnees who made at least 20 field goals is the FBS last season. His 25 field goals is tied for second most among returning FBS kickers.
Durkin connected on three field goals during the Florida spring game at The Swamp last April but missed a 49-yard attempt as time expired.
“He’s just getting comfortable and had a great season last year,” Florida special teams coach Johnathan Galante said. “He transitions now to a whole new town, a whole new city, a whole new environment, higher level. And he did well. He finished better than he started spring ball and in the position he’s in right now, I’m very excited where he’s at.”
The Lou Groza Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker Lou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Groza Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Nov. 17. From that list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers select the top three finalists for the award, announced on Nov. 24. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Dec. 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Florida football C Harrison Moore named to Rimington Watch list
Florida junior center Harrison Moore has been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, an award given to college football’s top center.
A transfer from Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 293-pound Moore appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for the Yellow Jackets in 2025. Moore helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just nine sacks (0.69 per game) during the season.
Moore is projected to replace former UF center Jake Slaughter, a two-time All-American and two-time Rimington Award finalist in 2024 and 2025. Slaughter was taken in the second round by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2026 NFL draft.
Florida football RB Jadan Baugh named to Maxwell Award list
Florida footbll running back Jadan Baugh was named as one of 81 players on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list.
The award is given to the most outstanding player in college football. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Maxwell Award in 2025.
The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Baugh is vying to become the SEC’s leading rusher this season after ranking third in the conference with 1,170 yards rushing and 8 TDs for the Florida Gators last season. He also added 21 catches for 185 yards and two receiving TDs for UF in 2025.
In UF’s 2025 season finale against Florida State, Baugh ran for 266 yards, the second-most in a game in program history behind only Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 316 yards and 3 TDs against New Mexico on Oct. 21, 1989. With the performance against FSU, Baugh became the 10th UF running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and first since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.
The Maxwell Award list will narrow down to a group of semifinalists on Nov. 10, and then the three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 24. The winner will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football awards tracker, two UF players named to Hornung Award list
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
