Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion named finalist for Paul Hornung Award

Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion, who has returned two punts for touchdowns this season, was named a finalist for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award, which honors the most versatile player in major college football.

The junior transfer is one of six finalists for the Hornung Award, which is presented by Texas Roadhouse. Washington’s Jonah Coleman, James Madison’s Wayne Knight, Louisville’s Caullin Lacy, Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price and Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams are the other finalists.

“These guys are true gamers, just like Paul Hornung,” said Greg Fante, the president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. “When he played for Notre Dame, Paul excelled on offense, defense and special teams, always doing whatever it took to help his team win. He would be proud of this year’s finalists.”

Late last month, Concepcion, 21, was also named to the Jet Award Midseason Watch List, which honors college football’s top return specialist. He leads the SEC with nine touchdowns. The NC State transfer has seven receiving touchdowns and two on punt returns.

Versatile weapon

“Versatility is one of my best traits,” KC Concepcion said in August. “I can play outside. I can play inside. You can line me up at running back (and) you can line me up at ‘wildcat’ quarterback. You can put me on the field. Whatever you want me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”

He has lived up to that scouting report with No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC). He has scored multiple touchdowns in four games this season, including two touchdowns against LSU to help the Aggies win at Death Valley for the first time in 31 years.

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Concepcion has scored at least one touchdown in five of the undefeated Aggies’ eight games. He had 177 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against LSU, highlighted by a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Concepcion has accounted for 901 all-purpose yards this season, averaging 112.6 per game. He has 47 rushing yards on five carries for an impressive average of 9.4 yards per carry. Concepcion has 36 catches for 545 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He also has accumulated 309 yards on 14 punt returns.

‘Intense competitor’

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder is second in the SEC and nationally with two punt returns for touchdowns. He also ranks second in the SEC with 22.07 yards per punt return this season.

“You have an intense competitor who’s got the strength to get through arm tackles and break more tackles than I think you would give him credit for,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said after Concepcion scored two touchdowns against Auburn on Oct. 4. “And then I think that kind of gives the energy behind how he plays the game.

“Because when you break tackles, that gets the crowd going. I think that’s kind of what you feel.”