Versatile Texas A&M star KC Concepcion wins Hornung Award
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José de Jesus Ortiz, Founder & Editor in Chief
- December 10, 2025
KC Concepcion named Most Versatile Player
COLLEGE STATION – In his first visit with local media this summer, KC Concepcion encouraged Texas A&M fans to get their popcorn ready in. Without sounding brash, he mentioned versatility as one of his best traits.
Concepcion’s versatility was recognized today. He was named the 2025 Paul Hornung Award winner as the most versatile player in major college football. He’s the first Aggie to win the award.
Popcorn has definitely been appropriate for the KC Concepcion Show at Texas A&M. As it turns out, Concepcion proved to be better than he led on. He has been more than a box office hit. The junior from Charlotte, N.C. has been a genuine triple feature, entertaining the 12th Man while tormenting SEC defenses like nobody else.
Concepcion edged out fellow Hornung finalists Jonah Coleman of Washington, Wayne Knight of James Madison, Caullin Lacy of Louisville, Jadarian Price of Notre Dame and J’Koby Williams of Texas Tech.
All-SEC triple-threat
Concepcion, who is tied for the Southeastern Conference lead with nine receiving touchdowns, earned the Hornung Award a day after he became the first player in SEC history to be named All-SEC First Team at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist in the same year.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder leads No. 7 Texas A&M with 12 touchdowns. He has scored nine receiving touchdowns, two on punt returns and one rushing. He is the first Aggie to score rushing, receiving and punt-return touchdowns in the same season since at least 1967.
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“Versatility is one of my best traits,” 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.”
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and offensive coordinator Collin Klein have used Concepcion in multiple ways. He hasn’t been used as the “wildcat” quarterback behind the center, but there’s still time. The Aggies will face No. 10 Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 20 at Kyle Field.
The Hornung Award is presented by Texas Roadhouse via the Louisville Sports Commission.
First Latino to win Hornung Award
Concepcion, who has Puerto Rican roots from his father’s side, is the first Latino to win the Hornung Award since it was established in 2010.
Concepcion leads the Aggies in receptions (57), receiving yards (886), receiving touchdowns (nine), touchdowns (12) and punt return touchdowns (two). He has rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
KC Concepcion has accounted for 460 yards over 23 punt returns with two touchdowns this season. His 79-yard punt return for a touchdown against LSU is one of A&M’s best highlights of the year. He also had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown against UTSA in the season opener.
The 2023 ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year at NC State has averaged career highs in yards per reception (15.5) and yards per rushing attempt (7.9) this season.
At NC State, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry and 10.48 yards per reception. His surpassed the season-high he set with 7.8 yards per carry and 11.8 yards per reception as a freshman.
José de Jesus Ortiz
Founder & Editor in Chief
Award-winning writer Jose de Jesus Ortiz, a former lead sports columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has covered Major League Baseball since 1997 in Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, New York and Houston. He was the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
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