Naval Academy Athletics

Senior Snipe Eli Heidenreich on the Watch List for the Paul Hornung Award Presented by Texas Roadhouse

7/31/2025 12:56:00 PM

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Senior snipe Eli Heidenreich has been named by the Louisville Sports Commission to the Watch List for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.

Heidenreich, a starter in 17 games during his career, has 10-career touchdown receptions which is tied for the third most in program history and the most since Jamir Tillman had 10 from 2013-16. He needs four touchdown catches this fall to set the school record.

Heidenreich's six touchdown receptions in 2024 tied for the most in school history. He had a touchdown catch in four-straight games and looked like it would be five-straight as he caught a touchdown pass against Air Force that ended up getting called back due to a penalty. He was the first Navy player to have a touchdown catch in four-straight games since Jamir Tillman in 2015 and was the first Navy receiver with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Jamir Tillman in 2015.

Heidenreich was the number two-rated receiver among all position players (min. of 50 targets) by Pro Football Focus last year.

A starter in all 13 games a year ago, he was the team's leading receiver with 671 yards and six touchdowns on 39 catches and stood third on the team in rushing with 444 yards and three touchdowns on 65 carries.

Heidenreich is averaging 18.8 yards per catch in his career (51 catches / 960 yds) which is the sixth-best average in school history.

He has scored 14 career touchdowns (10 receiving, four rushing).

Heidenreich is one of three players from the American Conference to make the list. Greg Derosiers Jr. of Memphis and Willie McCoy of UTSA are also on the list.

The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. The award was created by the LSC in January 2010 with the support of the Golden Boy himself, Paul Hornung, a native and lifelong resident of Louisville and member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the number one pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks, and played defensive back. While in the NFL, Hornung was a multi-threat offensive back and prolific kicker. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring 1959-60-61, set the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points, and was named League MVP following the 1961 season.

Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) staff and a panel of college football experts create a pre-season watch list of approximately 50 players.

In early December, following the conference championship weekend, the Selection Committee members choose their top three players from the finalist pool, ranked in order 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place. The 5-3-1 point system will be used to determine the winner.

Fan voting accounts for the 18th vote (approximately 6 percent of the overall votes) for both finalists and the winner using the 5-3-1 point system.

The public accounting firm Dean Dorton tabulates the votes. Selection Committee voting is conducted via a secure email application. Fan voting is done online at www.votepaulhornung.com. No member of the LSC board, staff or Hornung Award Advisory Committee tabulates votes.

The essence of the Award – versatility enabling a player to make an impact at numerous positions on the field – suggests that a dynamic list of candidates will emerge as the college football season progresses. With this factor in mind, the Paul Hornung Award Advisory Committee and Selection Committee will adhere to the following timeline for 2024:

· July 31 – Develop and publicize an Official Preseason Watch List

· November 2 – List of candidates provided to Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee

· November 6 – Finalists announced

· December 11 – Winner announced

· March 2026 – Host winner at official awards banquet in Louisville, Ky.

2025 Selection Committee Members

The Paul Hornung Award Selection Committee is comprised of college football experts from around the country:

· Mike Archer, former college, CFL and NFL football coach

· Brandon Boykin, 2011 Paul Hornung Award Winner, NFL player, sports commentator

· Tim Brando, FOX Sports play-by-play announcer; host College Football Today

· Christine Brennan, USA Today national sports columnist; author; commentator ABC News, Fox Sports Radio, ESPN

· Michael Eaves, ESPN Sports Center anchor, sports journalist