LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Hawai'i's multi-talented Calvin Turner Jr. has been included in the 2021 Watch List for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse. The award, now in its 12th season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission.
 
Turner is among 57 preseason candidates for this year's award and is the first Rainbow Warrior to appear on the Hornung Watch List since Scott Harding (2013, '14) . The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville in March 2022.
 
Last season, Turner lined up at a  multitude of positions – running back, wide receiver, wildcat quarterback and kick returner. A 2020 all-Mountain West pick at wide receiver, he has been an absolute game-breaker for the Rainbow Warriors. The native of Savannah , Ga., had UH's four longest plays from scrimmage last year – including three catches of 70+ yards, as well as a 92-yard kickoff return in UH's New Mexico Bowl win over Houston. He concluded the season among the nation's top players in all-purpose yards (1,201) and total touchdowns (11).
 
Last week, Turner was named to the preseason all-Mountain West first team as a punt returner. He was also previously named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back.
 
The 2021 Watch List players represent 53 universities from all 10 football conferences, plus four independent schools, that are part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of 2020 statistics, career performance, SID recommendations and expectations heading into the 2021 season. In addition to the Watch List, the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll will recognize players whose performances during the regular season meet the Award's criteria. Players from both the Watch List and the Honor Roll will be eligible to win the Award.
 
The Paul Hornung Award has created an impressive legacy in 11 years including seven winners who were first round NFL draft picks – DeVonta Smith, Tavon Austin, Odell Beckham Jr., Shaq Thompson, Christian McCaffrey, Jabrill Peppers and Saquon Barkley.
 
Hornung, who passed away in his hometown at age 84 on Nov. 13, 2020, played every position in the offensive backfield during his career with Notre Dame in the 1950s and also played defensive safety, punted, placekicked and returned kickoffs. He was named All-America at quarterback as a senior and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956, then was the first player selected in the NFL draft, going to Green Bay. He earned NFL MVP honors for the Packers in 1961 as a triple-threat halfback and placekicker by setting a single-season NFL scoring record that stood for 46 years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, and Vince Lombardi once called him, "The most versatile man ever to play the game."