Oregon's Kris Hutson named to Hornung Award watch list
Oregon junior receiver Kris Hutson has been tabbed as one of the more versatile players in the nation.
On Thursday, Hutson was one of 53 players named to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the most versatile player in college football by the Louisville Sports Commission.
Hutson is one of seven Pac-12 players who made the cut, along with Arizona’s Jacob Cowing, Oregon State’s Anthony Gould, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Utah’s Brant Kuithe, Arizona State’s Cameron Skattebo, and USC’s Tahj Washington.
A fourth-year junior and a two-year starter for the Ducks at receiver, Hutson was third among all Oregon pass-catchers last season with 472 yards on two catches. The year prior, he caught 31 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns.
Hutson also led the Ducks with 238 kick return yards and 42 punt return yards last season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hutson’s 551 snaps were the fifth-most among Oregon’s offensive players last season. He played 308 snaps at slot receiver and 241 snaps at Z receiver.
Although he is one of the program’s more experienced players on the offensive side of the ball, he will face an uphill battle this fall as he looks to retain his starting job.
Oregon added former Troy speedster and former USC standout Gary Bryant Jr. via the transfer portal during the offseason. Both will be in the mix to start at slot receiver. Former Alabama wideout Traeshon Holden is projected to be the Ducks’ starting Z receiver this season.
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Last year’s leading receiver, Troy Franklin, is also back in 2023 after earning second-team all-conference honors in 2022. The Ducks have also added 5-star 2023 signee Jurrion Dickey, who On3 tabbed as the No. 2 receiver prospect in the nation.
“One thing about Kris, is that Kris does not shy away from competition,” Oregon receivers coach Junior Adamas said in April. “Kris comes out every day to work and he practices hard. Kris is doing his thing. He’s doing Kris. He’s making plays. He made a play on the sideline today that was pretty good. It was a contested play, so that was good to see.”
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Huston is a former 4-star signee who was the No. 218 overall player in the nation in the class of 2020.
No Oregon player has ever won the Paul Hornung Award. Last season, Oregon State linebacker and fullback Jack Colletto won the award.
