Marcus Jones captures the Paul Hornung Award

Arguably the most versatile player in college football officially won the award that is presented to the most versatile player in the country this week as Houston’s Marcus Jones was named the 2021 recipient of the Paul Hornung Award.

The Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee is made up of 17 sports writers and football experts from around the country and is presented every year to the most versatile player in the major college football. Paul Hornung – a former NFL MVP – was known in college as being the most versatile player at a time when most players were required to play on offense and defense. Hornung played halfback, quarterback and kicker at Notre Dame.

Jones has been a versatile athlete from his time in high school. As a senior at Enterprise High School he scored a touchdown pass and returned kickoffs and punts for touchdowns along with leading the region in interceptions with five.

Jones started his college career at Troy, where he became an All-American kick returner and All-Sun Belt cornerback before transferring to Houston following Neal Brown’s departure from Troy. Jones’ versatility has continued to shine at Houston.

“This award means a lot to me,” Jones said. “I’ve been undersized and overlooked a lot in my life.

“I just kept my head down and focused on controlling the controllable. Any way I can help the team, I was down for it whether it was extra time spent in meetings or putting in the physical work on the practice field.”

Jones’ senior season came to a close this past weekend in the AAC Championship game against Cincinnati. For the season, he recorded 48 tackles, five interceptions, 13 pass breakups, a forced fumble and one tackle-for-loss on defense. He also returned 26 punts for 374 yards and two touchdowns along with 15 kickoff returns for 510 yards and two more touchdowns. On offense, he caught 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Jones ranks first in the country in interceptions, third in combined kick return yards, second in punt return yards and fourth in kickoff return average.

“The honor is well-deserved for Marcus,” Houston coach Dana Holgeorsen said. “His ability to impact games in all three phases undoubtedly makes him the most versatile player in the country.

“We’re proud to have him in our program these last few years. His combination of intelligence and athleticism makes him elite where he lines up.”

The Hornung Award has been presented annually since 2010 and every single past winner has gone on to play in the NFL with all but two being active players in the NFL currently. That list of winners includes former Alabama star and Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, Stanford’s Christian McAffrey and more.

Last month, Jones was selected to compete in the 2022 Senior Bowl, which takes place Feb. 5, 2002 in Mobile.