Auburn RB Brian Battie named to Paul Hornung Award watchlist
Auburn running back Brian Battie has been named to the Paul Hornung Award watchlist. The award is given annually to the nation’s most versatile player. Usually, this award goes to a player who plays a specific position and then returns
Battie, listed at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, was an NCAA consensus All-American as a freshman kick returner. He was a second-team All-AAC as a sophomore rushing for 1,186 yards. Battie set the USF season all-purpose yardage record (1,936, 2022), which led the nation following conclusion of the regular season.
He will more than likely dual as a running back and returner at Auburn as well.
Montgomery on Battie
Auburn offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery had high praise for Battie during the spring.
“The thing about Brian, and he’s got really good speed, but the thing you notice when you’re around him and play against him, is he is very difficult to tackle,” Montgomery said during the spring. “He does a great job of setting up blocks and being patient, he can start and stop and create spacing for himself. He hides behind things and then all of a sudden, he pops up and good things are happening.”
“I’m really impressed with what he’s been able to do so far. He’s got that shake to him. He can get you off balance. If you go watch his tapes, he doesn’t take many hard hits. He understand how to maneuver himself and finish forward. He’s electric with the ball in his hands.”
The Paul Hornung Award
The mission of the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse is to recognize and reward versatile, high-level performers in major college football (Football Bowl Subdivision team member); to help preserve the legacy of one of Louisville’s native sons and sports icons; and to promote Louisville as a great sports town.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. The Award was created by the LSC in January 2010 with the support of the Golden Boy himself, Paul Hornung, a native and lifelong resident of Louisville and member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
