Jeff Smith Named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List

Read Time:2 Minute, 56 Second

Jeff Smith Named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List

Junior wide receiver one of 46 players named to list

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Louisville Sports Commission today named Boston College 46 multi-talented college football players to the 2017 Watch List for the Paul Hornung Award, including Boston College junior wide receiver Jeff Smith.

The Paul Hornung Award, now in its eighth season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission, and football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award Banquet presented by KentuckyOne Health, to be held at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville on March 8, 2018. This will be The Paul Hornung Award’s second year as an associate member of the prestigious National College Football Awards Association.

Smith played in all 13 games last season, including six starts at wide receiver. Smith was second on the team in receiving yards and receptions and led BC with 14.6 yards per reception.

Also a threat to lineup under center, Smith totaled 35 carries for 199 yards (5.7 yards per carry average) and scored a 60-yard rushing touchdown in the win at NC State. Smith was also 2-for-2 passing for 25 yards and a touchdown in 2016 at quarterback.

This year’s watch list selectees will have big shoes to fill. All four of the 2016 Paul Hornung Award Finalists were selected in the 2017 NFL Draft; the five most recent winners all were drafted in the first round in their respective years.

“We have a terrific Watch List again this year,” said Paul Hornung, namesake of the Award, who legendary Coach Vince Lombardi called “the most versatile man ever to play the game.” “I love the fact that we recognize players who have the skill and the right mind set to play anyplace on the field to help their team win games.”

The 2017 watch list is comprised of one graduate student, 23 seniors, 19 juniors, and three sophomores who play a total of nine different positions. They represent 45 universities in 28 states coast-to-coast across the 10 conferences that are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The ACC leads the conferences with 10 players, followed by the SEC with eight players, and the Big Ten with five players.

Players on this year’s Watch List accounted for 10,724 rushing yards, 16,853 receiving yards, 13,548 kickoff return yards, 4,092 punt return yards, and 394 total tackles in 2016. Reminiscent of Hornung during his playing days, members of the Watch List demonstrated a knack for scoring numerous ways. Last season the Watch List players combined for 291 total touchdowns in six different ways – passing, rushing, receiving, punt return, kickoff return, and interception.

The 2017 Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of 2016 statistics, career performance, SID recommendations, and expectations heading into the 2017 season. Profiles of each player and information about the Award can be found at www.paulhornungaward.com. Players will be added to the Watch List during the 2017 regular season based on performance.

Smith and the Eagles report for the start of preseason camp Monday, July 31. The Eagles hold their first practice of the 2017 season on Tuesday, August 1.

Season tickets for the 2017 season are available at BCEagles.com.