Aug. 8, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Already a member of four preseason watch lists, UCF junior cornerback and punt returner Josh Robinson (Sunrise, Fla.) made it five when he was selected to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List presented by Texas Roadhouse Monday. The honor is handed out to the nation's most versatile player, and a total of 50 student-athletes were chosen for the list.
The Paul Hornung Award was created by the Louisville Sports Commission in January 2010 and was named after the Notre Dame quarterback who won the 1956 Heisman Trophy. Hornung also played every position in the backfield during his career, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks and played defensive back. Last year's winner of the award was Stanford's Owen Marecic, who later would be drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2011.
A 16-member selection committee will vote for finalists in early December and the winner is chosen from among the finalists after they compete in bowl games. In late September, fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite student-athlete for the Paul Hornung Award, and more information is available at PaulHornungAward.com.
Robinson wasted little time making an impact in a Black and Gold uniform. As a true freshman in 2009, he totaled six interceptions and eight pass break-ups en route to spots on the All-Conference USA Second Team and the C-USA All-Freshman Team. Robinson's impressive campaign helped the Knights reach the St. Petersburg Bowl that season.
Quickly becoming a presence on opposing coaches' game films, Robinson still had 13 break-ups and two interceptions during UCF's run towards the 2010 C-USA title and AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory. He helped UCF's defense rank in the FBS top-10 in scoring defense (eighth).
The 2010 championship season also marked Robinson's first as a punt returner, where he ranked ninth in the country with a 15.20 return average, finishing with 20 returns and 304 yards. Robinson went on to be named an All-C-USA First Team cornerback as well as an All-C-USA Honorable Mention punt returner.
Josh Robinson's Preseason Watch Lists
Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse - Most Versatile Player
FWAA Thorpe Award - Top Defensive Back
FWAA Bronko Nagurski Trophy - Top Defensive Player
College Football Performance Awards Defensive Back Trophy
College Football Performance Awards Punt Returner Trophy
UCF football season ticket packages can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000. Should UCF host the C-USA Championship Game for the fourth time in seven years, it would be played on Saturday, Dec. 3, and season ticket holders will receive the first shot at the best seats.