Shaq Thompson Claims Hornung Award
December 12, 2014 | Football
Shaq Thompson has won the fifth annual Paul Hornung Award, given to most versatile player in major college football, the Louisville Sports Commission announced this morning.
Thompson, a junior linebacker from Sacramento, Calif., has played linebacker, safety, tailback and on a long list of special teams this year, distinguishing himself with his dynamic play in each area.
Having already earned first-team All-America from CBS Sports and scout.com, Thompson adds his name to an elite group of Husky football players ever to have earned a national award. Greg Lewis won the 1990 Doak Walker Award, Steve Emtman won both the Outland and the Lombardi in 1991 and Austin Seferian-Jenkins won the John Mackey Award last season.
Thompson finished the season as the nation's leader in defensive touchdowns, with four, and also shared the national lead with four fumble recoveries. On defense, he totaled 71 tackles, with one interception and three forced fumbles.
On offense, he rushed for 100 yards in each of his two starts at tailback, including 174 yards on just 15 carries at Colorado. He finished the season with 456 yards on just 61 carries, an average of 7.5 yards per carry.
Thompson will attend the 2015 Paul Hornung Award banquet January 27 in Louisville.
