Barney Named to Hornung Award Watch List
Jul 31, 2025 / NU Athletics
Sophomore wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. earned recognition Thursday morning, as he was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.
The Award is presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football, and Barney was the Huskers’ top all-purpose threat as a true freshman in 2024. Last season, Barney led the Huskers with 55 catches for 447 yards, tying the single-season school record for catches by a freshman. He also rushed 10 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns and returned 14 kickoffs for 285 yards, as he topped NU in kickoff return yards. Barney ranked third nationally among all FBS freshmen in receptions and according to PFF, he had the most targets of any player in the country (76) without a drop.
His best performance of 2024 came in the Huskers’ win over Wisconsin when he had a career-high and team-leading nine receptions for a career-high 85 receiving yards. Barney also had an 11-yard rush, a career-long 45-yard kickoff return and a career-long nine-yard punt return to earn Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week honors.