Barney Named to 2026 Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Nebraska junior wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. was named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List on Monday.
The award, presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football, is named after football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung.
Barney, who was on the watch list in 2025, returns after playing a significant role for the Huskers on both offense and special teams.
Barney started at wide receiver and was one of the nation’s top return specialists last season. He ranked 13th nationally in punt return average (12.2 per return) and 15th in combined kick return yards (545), while hauling in 45 passes for 484 yards and five TDs. He led the Huskers in TD receptions and ranked second on the team in both catches and receiving yards. A third-team All-Big Ten performer as a returner, Barney enters his junior season with 100 career receptions and is on pace to finish his career as NU’s all-time leader in catches.
As a true freshman in 2024, he tied NU’s freshman record with 55 catches and also averaged 13.0 yards per carry on 10 rushes, including three touchdowns.