Connor Heyward Named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List
7/23/2020 1:05:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State redshirt junior running back Connor Heyward has been named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List, the Louisville Sports Commission announced on Thursday.
Heyward, who only played in four games in 2019 to preserve his redshirt season, was a finalist for the Hornung Award as a sophomore in 2018.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football.
The Duluth, Georgia, native has 618 rushing yards and five TDs on 145 carries in 29 career games, including nine starts, and also has 43 receptions for 314 yards and two TDs. He had 24 carries for 79 yards and seven catches for 52 yards and one TD in the first four games of last season.
During his breakthrough season in 2018, Heyward led the Spartans in rushing (118 carries for 529 yards), rushing touchdowns (5), kick returns (13 for 287 yards) and all-purpose yards (1,065). He also ranked third on the team in scoring (30 points; five TDs) and receptions (32 for 249 yards). His 32 receptions were the most by a Spartan running back since Le'Veon Bell (32 in 2012). He received MSU's Downtown Coaches Club Award for most outstanding player on offense and was also named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a kick returner by the media.
Heyward, who only played in four games in 2019 to preserve his redshirt season, was a finalist for the Hornung Award as a sophomore in 2018.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football.
The Duluth, Georgia, native has 618 rushing yards and five TDs on 145 carries in 29 career games, including nine starts, and also has 43 receptions for 314 yards and two TDs. He had 24 carries for 79 yards and seven catches for 52 yards and one TD in the first four games of last season.
During his breakthrough season in 2018, Heyward led the Spartans in rushing (118 carries for 529 yards), rushing touchdowns (5), kick returns (13 for 287 yards) and all-purpose yards (1,065). He also ranked third on the team in scoring (30 points; five TDs) and receptions (32 for 249 yards). His 32 receptions were the most by a Spartan running back since Le'Veon Bell (32 in 2012). He received MSU's Downtown Coaches Club Award for most outstanding player on offense and was also named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a kick returner by the media.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballA New Era | Pat Fitzgerald's First Day in East Lansing
Wednesday, December 03
Pat Fitzgerald | Football Press Conference | Dec. 2nd, 2025
Tuesday, December 02
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | Maryland
Saturday, November 29
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 24 2025
Monday, November 24