Watkins Named to Hornung Award Watch List

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson All-American receiver Sammy Watkins has been named to the Hornung Award Watch List for 2012.  The honor is named after former Notre Dame Heisman Trophy (1956) winner Paul Hornung and is presented to the top all-purpose player in college football.

Last year, Watkins gained 2,288 all-purpose yards and ranked fourth in the nation in all-purpose yardage per game.  His 2,288 total led the ACC and was the second highest total in Clemson history.  Only C.J. Spiller’s 2,680 yards in 2009 is greater.

Watkins 2,288 yards last year set an ACC freshman record, as did his 82 receptions, 12 receiving touchdowns and 1219 receiving yards.  His yardage total was a Clemson record regardless of class.

Watkins was named the first-team AP All-America all-purpose player last year, just the fourth true freshman in college football history to be named a first-team AP All-American as a non-kicker.

Eight Clemson players have been named to various Watch lists 16 times during the preseason.  Tajh Boyd has been named to the watch list for four awards, while Dalton Freeman and Sammy Watkins are listed on three watch lists apiece.