JONESBORO, AR (News release) – Arkansas State junior wide receiver J.D. McKissic (Phenix City, Ala.) has been named to the 2014 Paul Hornung Award Watch List, announced Monday by the Louisville Sports Commission.
McKissic is the first A-State player to ever earn a place on the award’s watch list, which is comprised of 47 multi-talented players from across the nation this year. The Paul?Hornung Award, now in its fifth season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football.
The watch list was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of 2013 statistics, career performance and expectations heading into the 2014 season. McKissic has been named a 2014 preseason first team All-Sun Belt Conference choice by Sporting News, Lindy’s, Athlon Sports and USA?Today Sports.
As just a sophomore in 2013, McKissic set the Arkansas State record for career receptions (185) and ended the season just two shy of the fifth most in Sun Belt history. He also ended the year ranked seventh for career receiving yards (1,672) and ninth for career receiving touchdowns (9) among A-State players.
The only player in school history with 70 or more receptions in two different seasons, McKissic ended his 2013 campaign with 82 receptions. He also posted 629 kickoff return yards and his 30.0 average per return was the third highest in the nation.
He ranked 30th in the nation in receptions per game (6.3 avg.), 34th in punt return yards (8.5 ypg) and 45th in all-purpose yard?(121.2 ypg) as well, earning All-Sun Belt Conference recognition at the wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist positions.
