Another Hoosier football player can claim preseason honors.
IU sophomore running back and return specialist Devonte Williams was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Monday. The award, in its eighth season, is given annually to the nation's most versatile college football player.
Williams was one of three sophomores and one of five Big Ten players selected, as well as one of 46 total players nominated.
As a running back, the 2016 BTN.com All-Freshman team selection compiled 48 carries for 147 yards and seven receptions for 50 yards in 11 games. As a return specialist, Williams returned 39 kicks for 784 yards, which ranks fifth on the program's single-season list in 11 games. The 784 yards led the Big Ten and ranked 13th nationally.
Williams finished second on the Hoosiers with 1,001 all-purpose yards, averaging 91 per game, and recorded five 100-plus all-purpose yardage games.
He enters the 2017 season 10th on IU's all-time kick return yardage list with 988 yards.
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, according a release.
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.
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