Lincoln – University of Nebraska junior I-back Ameer Abdullah was honored Friday, as he was selected to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List, presented by Texas Roadhouse. Abdullah was one of 44 players chosen to the initial watch list by the Louisville Sports Commission, as the Hornung Award highlights the nation’s most versatile player.

As a sophomore, Abdullah earned second-team All-Big Ten honors at running back, totaling 1,137 yards and eight TDs while also catching 24 passes, including a pair of scores. Abdullah, who produced six 100-yard performances as a sophomore, averaged 13.1 yards per return on punts and 21.2 yards per return on kickoffs, as Nebraska went 10-4 and reached the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game.

The 2013 Hornung Award Watch List was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on a combination of 2012 statistics, career performance and expectations heading into the 2013 season. The 2013 Hornung Watch List features players from 41 schools, covering 10 conferences.

The winner will be honored at the official Paul Hornung Award Banquet sponsored by KentuckyOne Health, held at the Galt House in downtown Louisville in late January 2014.