IRVING, Texas - The American Athletic Conference had five players among the 53 who were named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is presented annually to the nation's most versatile player.

UAB's Jermaine Brown Jr. is coming off a career-best season in which he rushed for 948 yards and eight touchdowns, while adding 120 receiving yards and 475 kick return yards for a total of 1,543 all-purpose yards. Entering his final year as a Blazer, Brown Jr. has 2,275 career rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, to go along with 3,476 all-purpose yards. 

Charlotte's Shadrick Byrd was the 49ers leading rusher and leading kick returner in 2022 and led the team with 1494 all-purpose yards. He earned Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors as a kick returner, was named the CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week once, and was twice named to the Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll.

UTSA's Joshua Cephus was a second-team All-Conference USA selection at wide receiver and honorable mention all-league choice at punt returner in 2022. He caught 87 passes for 985 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards per catch and 75.8 yards per contest. He returned nine punts for 36 yards with a long of 17, and he also rushed three times for 10 yards and completed both pass attempts for a total of 12 yards.

Tulane's Jha'Quan Jackson was a Second Team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) selection last season.  He led the team with his 21 punt returns for 213 yards and a touchdown. His 90-yard return against Memphis was the second-longest in both school and conference history. He also tied for second on the team with his 33 receptions. His 554 receiving yards placed him third on the squad.

Florida Atlantic's LaJohntay Wester had 719 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, Wester contributed on the ground game, rushing for 106 yards and an additional touchdown and was the team's sole punt returner.

Now in its 14th season, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville, Kentucky, in March 2024.

Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List - American Athletic Conference Players
Jermaine Brown Jr., UAB
Shadrick Byrd, Charlotte
Joshua Cephus, UTSA
Jha'Quan Jackson, Tulane
LaJohntay Wester, Florida Atlantic