Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list on Thursday.
The award, given annually to the most versatile player in college football, spotlighted 46 athletes on its preseason watch list. Other Big Ten names listed are Rutgers wide receiver D.T. Sheffield, Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty, Nebraska wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr., Minnesota safety Koi Perich, Indiana wide receiver Makai Jackson, Oregon running back Noah Whittington and Penn State wide receiver Trebor Pena.
All of those players have a primary attribute in common: they also excel on special teams. Anthony, for example, complemented his 672 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024 with 390 kick return yards. He projects as one of the Big Ten’s best kickoff returners entering the 2025 campaign.
Previous winners of the Paul Hornung Award include two-way star Travis Hunter (2023 and 2024), Oregon State fullback/quarterback/receiver/linebacker/defensive back Jack Colletto (2022), Houston cornerback/return specialist Marcus Jones (2021) and Alabama star DeVonta Smith (2020). Big names including Saquon Barkley (2017), Jabrill Peppers (2016), Christian McCaffrey (2015), Odell Beckham Jr. (2013) and Tavon Austin (2012) are also past winners.
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐲@VinnyAnthony1 is on the @hornungaward Watch List!#OnWisconsinpic.twitter.com/UjNLyOWnNs
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) July 31, 2025
Anthony is set to lead the Badgers’ wide receiver room this season. After a breakout 2024 campaign as the team’s top outside option, many expect a further breakthrough as one of the Big Ten’s top playmakers in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Vinny Anthony makes Paul Hornung Award watch list