Texas Tech playmakers J'Koby Williams and Kenny Johnson earned Paul Hornung Award watch-list spots after piling up versatile numbers in 2025.
Texas Tech football has two of the most dangerous multi-purpose weapons in the country, and now both are getting national recognition.
J'Koby Williams and Kenny Johnson were named Monday to the 2026 Paul Hornung Award Watch List, putting a pair of Red Raiders among 39 players being considered for the honor given annually to college football’s most versatile performer.
Williams isn’t exactly new to this conversation.
The Texas Tech running back was one of six finalists for the award last season after producing 1,525 all-purpose yards, an average of 108.9 per game that ranked 12th nationally.
He did damage just about everywhere.
Williams rushed for 868 yards and six touchdowns, caught 35 passes for 388 yards and two more scores and added 242 yards on kickoff returns. He even took one kickoff to the house.
That versatility makes Williams one of the most intriguing pieces in Texas Tech’s offense entering 2026.
He’s also one of only two returning finalists from last year’s Hornung Award race to appear on the new watch list, joining UCLA’s Wayne Knight.
Then there’s Johnson, whose arrival gives the Red Raiders another player capable of flipping a game without needing a traditional offensive snap.
Johnson transferred to Texas Tech after a breakout 2025 season at Pitt, where he finished with 1,036 all-purpose yards.
His biggest impact may have come as a return man.
Johnson averaged 12.8 yards on 14 punt returns, scoring once, while also averaging a blistering 31.8 yards per kickoff return. His longest kickoff return went for 78 yards.
He wasn’t just a special-teams weapon, either.
Johnson posted career highs with 48 receptions, 695 receiving yards and five touchdowns, averaging 14.5 yards per catch.
Put Williams and Johnson on the same roster, and Texas Tech suddenly has two players who can stress defenses and special-teams units in several different ways.
That’s exactly what the Paul Hornung Award is designed to recognize.
Now in its 17th season, the award has become a strong predictor of elite football talent. Past winners include Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Odell Beckham Jr., DeVonta Smith and Travis Hunter.
For Texas Tech, the bigger story is what those watch-list spots could mean on Saturdays.
Williams has already proved he can wreck games as a runner, receiver and returner. Johnson brings similar chaos from the perimeter and special teams.
If both hit, opposing teams won’t just have to stop Texas Tech’s offense.
They’ll have to survive its versatility.
