Vernell Brown III against Texas (Photo by Jordan Perez
Baugh and Brown Tabbed to Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Monday, August 10, 2026 | Football
The award is given out annually to the most versatile player in college football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior running back Jadan Baugh and sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III were name to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, the Louisville Sports Commission announced on Monday.
Since 2010, The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the number one pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks, and played defensive back.
In 2025, Baugh started all 12 games for the Gators and lead the team with 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Baugh also caught 21 passes for 185 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Baugh's 10 total touchdowns on the season also lead the Gators in 2025.
In the 2025 season finale against Florida State, Baugh ran for 266 yards, the second-most in a game in program history and most against Florida State, to surpass 1,000 yards. Baugh became the 10th Gator to rush for over 1,000 yards and the third underclassman to surpass the mark, joining Emmitt Smith (Fr., 1987) and Errict Rhett (So., 1991). Baugh's 2025 season saw him earn All-SEC Second Team honors at the end of the season.
Brown enters the 2026 season after having led the Gators with 40 receptions for 512 yards, becoming the first true freshman in program history to lead the team in catches and receiving yards. Brown also served as the Gators' primary punt and kick returner for most of the 2025 season, tallying 261 return yards across 18 kick and punt returns. Brown was one of two freshman and 18 players in the FBS to have five punt returns of at least 20-plus yards. Brown's performance in the 2025 season saw him earn Freshman All-SEC honors at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist.
For more information on the Paul Hornung Award and the full 2026 watch list, click here.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Florida Football season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for home contests against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
2026 Season Tickets
Following 18-straight, sold-out games at The Swamp, season ticket packages for the 2026 season are on sale now. The 2026 home schedule features six games against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
2026 Gators Stadium Pass
The Gators Stadium Pass provides guaranteed admission to all six home games of this season. Seat locations are assigned at random during the week leading up to each game, offering pass holders a unique viewing experience from different areas of the stadium. To attend games with friends, accounts may be linked for the full season, or guest passes may be purchased on a per-game basis.
2026 Mini Plans
Build a custom mini plan to lock in the games that best fit your schedule. Two-Game and Three-Game Packs are on sale now.
Since 2010, The Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the number one pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks, and played defensive back.
In 2025, Baugh started all 12 games for the Gators and lead the team with 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Baugh also caught 21 passes for 185 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Baugh's 10 total touchdowns on the season also lead the Gators in 2025.
In the 2025 season finale against Florida State, Baugh ran for 266 yards, the second-most in a game in program history and most against Florida State, to surpass 1,000 yards. Baugh became the 10th Gator to rush for over 1,000 yards and the third underclassman to surpass the mark, joining Emmitt Smith (Fr., 1987) and Errict Rhett (So., 1991). Baugh's 2025 season saw him earn All-SEC Second Team honors at the end of the season.
Brown enters the 2026 season after having led the Gators with 40 receptions for 512 yards, becoming the first true freshman in program history to lead the team in catches and receiving yards. Brown also served as the Gators' primary punt and kick returner for most of the 2025 season, tallying 261 return yards across 18 kick and punt returns. Brown was one of two freshman and 18 players in the FBS to have five punt returns of at least 20-plus yards. Brown's performance in the 2025 season saw him earn Freshman All-SEC honors at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist.
For more information on the Paul Hornung Award and the full 2026 watch list, click here.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Florida Football season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for home contests against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
2026 Season Tickets
Following 18-straight, sold-out games at The Swamp, season ticket packages for the 2026 season are on sale now. The 2026 home schedule features six games against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
2026 Gators Stadium Pass
The Gators Stadium Pass provides guaranteed admission to all six home games of this season. Seat locations are assigned at random during the week leading up to each game, offering pass holders a unique viewing experience from different areas of the stadium. To attend games with friends, accounts may be linked for the full season, or guest passes may be purchased on a per-game basis.
2026 Mini Plans
Build a custom mini plan to lock in the games that best fit your schedule. Two-Game and Three-Game Packs are on sale now.
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