Kenny Johnson added to Paul Hornung Award watch list
Kenny Johnson has made an impact all over the field since his freshman season, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Johnson – a 6-foot-1, 200-pound wide receiver from York, Pa. – has been named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, the Louisville Sports Commission announced on Thursday.
The Hornung Award is bestowed annually upon the most versatile player in college football. Johnson doesn’t play on both sides of the football, but he does make an impact at wideout and in the return game.
Johnson played in all 13 games last season, making 12 starts in the process. He hauled in 46 receptions for 537 yards (11.7 yards per reception) and three touchdowns, carried the ball six times for 26 yards and racked up 524 total return yards.
His return yardage (459 in kickoff returns and 60 in punt returns) led the ACC.
Johnson is the leader in the wide receivers room this season, serving as the model for all the wideouts to emulate in the weight room and on the practice field, and as his chemistry continues to grow with Eli Holstein, his impact on the field will, too.
Johnson isn’t the quickest wideout, but his straight-line speed is overwhelming, and he’s powerful enough to push through coverage to create openings downfield.
Entering his third season at Pitt, it feels like it’s finally time for Johnson to step into his role in the offense.
