ORLANDO – UCF running back Jaden Nixon has been named to his second watch list of the preseason as he has been listed as a name to pay attention to for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.
Nixon is one of 46 players representing schools in nine conferences that compete for the Football Bowl Series have been selected for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award Pre-Season Watch List. Now in its 16th season, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner March 2026 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky.
Nixon earned All-MAC First Team honors last season at Western Michigan, appearing in 13 games and rushing for 921 yards on 143 carries. He found paydirt 12 times throughout the course of the 2024 slate, including a trio of touchdowns against Buffalo. He racked up a season-high 189 yards on the ground against Bethune-Cookman while his longest rush of the season came against Kent State, scooting 92 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. The Maxwell Award Watch List adds to another preseason honor he’s already tallied; Phil Steele listed him as Preseason Big 12 Second Team prior to the Knights kicking off in August.
About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.