Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Wright Named To Hornung Award Watch List
07/29/21 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The versatility and dynamic playmaking ability of Mykael Wright was recognized on Thursday as the Oregon cornerback was announced as one of 57 players on the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award.
Now in its 12th season, the Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission.
Wright was honored on Tuesday as a preseason first-team all-Pac-12 selection as a cornerback while also earning honorable mention recognition as a return specialist. Wright led the Pac-12 in 2020 with nine pass breakups, and he was the conference's highest graded corner against the run (84.2) according to Pro Football Focus.
On special teams, Wright racked up 270 yards on 13 kickoff returns in 2020. As a freshman in 2019, he became just the third player in program history to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season. In his career, Wright has amassed 650 kickoff return yards with an average of 28.3 yards per attempt.
Oregon has had one finalist for the Paul Hornung Award in program history – LaMichael James in 2011.
WRIGHT 2021 PRESEASON HONORS
» Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list
» Paul Hornung Award watch list
» Athlon Sports All-America fourth team
» Pac-12 All-Conference first team defense
» Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention return specialist
» Phil Steele Pac-12 All-Conference first team
» Athlon Sports Pac-12 All-Conference first team
Now in its 12th season, the Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission.
Wright was honored on Tuesday as a preseason first-team all-Pac-12 selection as a cornerback while also earning honorable mention recognition as a return specialist. Wright led the Pac-12 in 2020 with nine pass breakups, and he was the conference's highest graded corner against the run (84.2) according to Pro Football Focus.
On special teams, Wright racked up 270 yards on 13 kickoff returns in 2020. As a freshman in 2019, he became just the third player in program history to return multiple kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season. In his career, Wright has amassed 650 kickoff return yards with an average of 28.3 yards per attempt.
Oregon has had one finalist for the Paul Hornung Award in program history – LaMichael James in 2011.
WRIGHT 2021 PRESEASON HONORS
» Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list
» Paul Hornung Award watch list
» Athlon Sports All-America fourth team
» Pac-12 All-Conference first team defense
» Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention return specialist
» Phil Steele Pac-12 All-Conference first team
» Athlon Sports Pac-12 All-Conference first team
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