Houston senior Marcus Jones, an All-American return specialist and lock down cornerback who also saw spot duty on offense, has been named winner of the 2021 Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Karl Schmitt Jr., president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, owner and operator of the Award. The Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee is comprised of 17 sports journalists and football experts from across the country.
 
"This award means a lot to me," Jones said. "I've been undersized and overlooked a lot in my life. I just kept my head down and focused on controlling the controllable. Any way I can help the team, I was down for it whether it was extra time spent in meetings or putting in the physical work on the practice field."
 
Jones boasts 48 tackles, five interceptions, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one tackle for a loss. He ranks second nationally in interceptions (5) and sixth in passes defended per game (1.4).
 
The senior is the only player in the country with multiple punt return touchdowns and multiple kick return touchdowns. He is fourth in the nation in average yards per punt return at 14.4 and averages a staggering 34 yards per kickoff return. 
 
On offense, Jones lined up at wide receiver in wins over Navy and cross-town rival Rice, catching 10 passes for 109 yards and a score while carrying the ball twice.
 
Jones had a career night in the Cougars' 44-37 win over No. 16 SMU, returning a kickoff 100 yards for the winning score with 17 seconds remaining alongside six tackles, including one tackle-for-loss and an interception. 
 
Against Navy, he returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and caught a 47-yard touchdown pass. In a 31-24 home win over East Carolina, Jones returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, the longest play at the time in TDECU Stadium history. In The American Championship against Cincinnati, Jones returned one punt for 14 yards and four kickoffs for 92 yards while forcing a fumble and breaking up one pass.
 
"This honor is well-deserved for Marcus," Houston Head Coach Dana Holgorsen said. "His ability to impact games in all three phases undoubtedly makes him the most versatile player in the country. We're proud to have him in our program these last few years. His combination of intelligence and athleticism makes him elite wherever he lines up."
 
SEASON STATS
• All-Purpose: 999 yards (avg. 76.8 per game)
• Tackles: 48 total, 37 solo, 11 assisted (avg. 4.0 per game)
• Tackles for Loss: One TFL 
• Interceptions: Five for two yards
• One forced fumble
• Pass Breakups: 13 (avg. 1.08 per game)
• Rushing: Two rushes, four yards 
• Receiving: 10 receptions, 109 yards, one touchdown (avg. 10.9 per reception)
• Kick Return: 15 kick returns, 510 yards, two touchdowns (avg. 34 per attempt)
• Punt Return: 26 punt returns, 374 yards, two touchdowns (avg. 14.4 per attempt)
 
PAST WINNERS
2020: DeVonta Smith -- Alabama
2019: Lynn Bowden Jr. -- Kentucky
2018: Rondale Moore -- Purdue
2017: Saquon Barkley -- Penn State
2016: Jabrill Peppers -- Michigan
2015: Christian McCaffrey -- Stanford
2014: Shaq Thompson -- Washington
2013: Odell Beckham Jr. -- LSU
2012: Tavon Austin -- West Virginia
2011: Brandon Boykin -- Georgia
2010: Owen Marecic -- Stanford