Oregon State University quarterback-fullback-linebacker-special teams ace Jack Colletto, who earned All-Pac-12 all-purpose player, was named winner of the 2022 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. The announcement was made today by Karl F. Schmitt Jr., president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, owner and operator of the Award. The Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee, comprised of 17 sports journalists and football experts from across the country, picked Colletto from among the four finalists who were announced on Nov. 10. An online vote powered by Texas Roadhouse accounted for the 18th vote. Colletto and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award ceremony on Mar. 13, 2023, at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville. For tickets, contact Julie Howell at 502-587-6742 or JHowell@Louisvillesports.org. Colletto, the 13th winner of the Paul Hornung Award and the fourth from the Pac-12, is a fifth-year senior with a degree in mechanical engineering who was named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators. On the field, the “Jackhammer” engineered the transition from part-time starting quarterback as a sophomore to a utility player who played nine different positions on offense and defense depending on the Beavers’ weekly game plan, and was a regular on all special teams. “This is just an amazing feeling, not just for me but for the program,” Colletto said. “To put in all this work and be recognized for what I’ve been able to do, it’s truly something special. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the support from a lot of people, especially those around the program and my immediate family. I appreciate all the help and support.” On offense, Colletto played both wildcat and direct-snap quarterback in short-yardage situations, was a blocking fullback where he started several games and occasionally played H-back and slot. He is third on the team with six touchdowns and accounted for 10 first downs rushing, two passing and one receiving. Primarily a linebacker on defense, Colletto lined up at slot corner and in the box, recorded 23 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble. He played on all OSU special teams and averaged nearly 40 snaps per game for the season. “I’d like to congratulate Jack on a well-deserved honor,” said Oregon State Head Coach Jonathan Smith. “He came to Oregon State as a quarterback and made the transition to linebacker and special teams while still being a big part of our offense. That versatility on offense, defense and special teams has been a big part of our success this season. I’m proud he has worn the Orange and Black since 2018 as he has been a great representative for this program and Beaver Nation.” Colletto is the first FBS player since 2013 to record at least 10 tackles, catch at least one pass, throw for at least one completion and rush for at least one score in the same season. He helped the Beavers compile a 9-3 overall record and a 6-3 record in the Pac-12; was part of a wild, come-from-behind win over Oregon; and helped the team earn a spot in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl against the Florida Gators on Dec. 17. Slowed by an injury late in the season, Colletto missed OSU’s win over Arizona State but came back the next week to make five tackles and carry the ball to the six-inch line to set up a score when the Beavers upended arch-rival Oregon 38-34 in Corvallis. Earlier in the season, he made the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll when he recorded three tackles, recovered a fumble and scored a rushing touchdown in OSU’s victory over Boise State; he made the Honor Roll again when he scored twice on offense and made three tackles in a 35-32 road win over Fresno State.
Season Stats:
- All-purpose: 129 yards, 14.33 per game
- Rushing: 25 rushes, 86 yards, six touchdowns
- Receiving: three receptions, 46 yards
- Passing: 2-2, 53 yards
- Kick Returns: one return, -two yards
- Defensive Stats: 23 tackles (18 solo, five assists); one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
- Average snaps per game: 39.2 (29 at quarterback, 140 at fullback, 14 at H-back, six at slot, one at wide receiver; 65 at linebacker, 15 at slot corner, two at wide corner, one at defensive end
All votes for the Paul Hornung Award are independently tabulated by regional accounting firm Dean Dorton, one of the largest accounting and financial advisory firms in Kentucky, with offices in Louisville and Lexington, Ky., and Raleigh, N.C. The Louisville Sports Commission successfully launched the Paul Hornung Award in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son, who passed away in 2020, and to promote outstanding performances by versatile college football players who often go unnoticed. Previous Paul Hornung Award winners by year:
- 2021: Marcus Jones of Houston was an All-American return specialist and lockdown corner who saw duty on offense. He recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions; returned a pair of kickoffs and punts for touchdowns; and caught 10 passes for 109 yards.
- 2020: DeVonta Smith of Alabama topped the nation in receiving yards and yards after catch, and averaged 24 yards per punt return leading the Crimson Tide to the national championship. He scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning punts and was a gunner on punt coverage.
- 2019: Lynn Bowden Jr. of Kentucky made the move from all-purpose receiver/wildcat quarterback/return specialist to quarterback in midseason and led the Wildcats to a 5-2 record and Belk Bowl win over Virginia Tech.
- 2018: Rondale Moore of Purdue was a dynamic All-American freshman sensation who broke the school record for all-purpose yards in a season and a game with 2,215 and 313, respectively.
- 2017: Saquon Barkley of Penn State was an electrifying All-American running back who lined up at slot and wildcat quarterback, and returned kicks and punts;
- 2016: Jabrill Peppers of Michigan played 15 different positions on defense, offense and special teams, and earned first-team All-America at linebacker;
- 2015: Christian McCaffrey of Stanford was a workhorse on offense and special teams who broke the NCAA record for all-purpose yards, finishing with 3,864;
- 2014: Shaq Thompson of Washington was a two-way player, earning first-team All-American honors at linebacker and finished as the Husky’s second-leading rusher at tailback;
- 2013: Odell Beckham Jr. of LSU finished the season ranked second in the nation and first in the Southeastern Conference with 2,222 all-purpose yards and 185.2 average yards per game;
- 2012: Tavon Austin of West Virginia earned All-American by scoring 17 touchdowns receiving, rushing, returning kicks and punts; and amassing 2,272 all-purpose yards, including 572 yards versus Oklahoma.
- 2011: Brandon Boykin of Georgia was a lockdown cornerback on defense; scored three touchdowns playing quarterback, running back and slot on offense; and led the SEC in punt and kick returns.
- 2010: Owen Marecic of Stanford was a two-way starter who averaged 110 snaps per game and earned first-team All-Pac-10 at fullback and honorable mention at linebacker.
Below are past winners and finalists who have made their mark in the NFL:
- Ameer Abdullah* RB; Nebraska / Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings
- Joe Adams WR; Arkansas / Carolina Panthers
- Antonio Andrews WR; Western Kentucky / Tennessee Titans
- Dri Archer RB; Kent State / Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tavon Austin RB; West Virginia / St. Louis, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Saquon Barkley* RB; Penn State / New York Giants
- Odell Beckham Jr WR; LSU / New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams
- Lynn Bowden, Jr.* WR; Kentucky / Miami Dolphins
- Brandon Boykin CB; Georgia / Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens
- Randall Cobb* WR; Kentucky / Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
- D’Wayne Eskridge* WR; North Carolina / Seattle Seahawks
- Travis Etienne* RB; Clemson / Jacksonville Jaguars
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire* RB; LSU / Kansas City Chiefs
- Marcus Green WR; Louisiana-Monroe / Philadelphia Eagles
- Marion Grice RB; Arizona State / Arizona Cardinals
- Justin Hall WR; Ball State / Las Vegas Raiders
- KJ Hamler WR; Penn State / Denver Broncos
- N’Keal Harry* WR; Arizona State / New England Patriots
- Nyheim Hines* RB; NC State / Indianapolis Colts
- Myles Jack* LB; UCLA / Jacksonville Jaguars
- Adoree’ Jackson* CB; USC / Tennessee Titans
- LaMichael James RB; Oregon / Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers
- Marcus Jones, DB; Houston / New England Patriots
- Jeremy Kerley WR; TCU / San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills
- Joel Lanning LB; Iowa State / Dallas Cowboys
- Marqise Lee* WR; USC / Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots
- Johnny Manziel QB; Texas A&M / Cleveland Browns
- Owen Marecic DB; Stanford / Cleveland Browns
- Christian McCaffrey* RB; Stanford / Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers
- Ty Montgomery* RB; Stanford / Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints
- Rondale Moore* WR; Purdue / Arizona Cardinals
- Marcus Murphy RB; Missouri / New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers
- Robert Nkemdiche* DL; Ole Miss / Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks
- Jabrill Peppers* DB; Michigan / Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots
- Dante Pettis* WR; Washington / San Francisco 49ers
- Joe Reed* WR; Virginia / Los Angeles Chargers
- DeVonta Smith* WR; Alabama / Philadelphia Eagles
- Shaq Thompson* LB; Washington / Carolina Panthers
- Kadarius Toney* WR; Florida / New York Giants
- Dede Westbrook* WR; Oklahoma / Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kyren Williams, RB Notre Dame / Los Angeles Rams
*Currently active in NFL
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