Baylor Football’s Richard Reese Earns Spot on Pair of Preseason Award Watch Lists

WACO, Texas – Baylor football junior running back and kick returner Richard Reese has been named to the Paul Hornung Award and Jet Award preseason watch lists, as announced this week by the award’s respective organizations.

Reese, who burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2022 with a 972-yard rushing season, ran back a pair of kick returns in the 2023 season finale to tie for the nation’s lead in kick return TDs. He became just the second Bear in program history to house two kick returns in the same game, and the first to do so on consecutive kicks. Reese’s 394 kick return yards ranked inside the nation’s top 50 and gave him 724 all-purpose yards for the season, including 306 rushing and 24 receiving.

For his versatility, Reese earned a spot on the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse preseason watch list. The Hornung Award has recognized the most versatile players in Division I football since 2010. Criteria for the award include a player that plays multiple positions, has a significant role on special teams, a two-way player, and/or makes a significant impact during big games by elevating a team’s performance.

Additionally, Reese landed on the preseason watch list for the 14th annual Jet Award, which recognizes college football’s top return specialist. Named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and college football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, the Jet Award is presented to the nation’s top kickoff or punt returner as selected by a distinguished panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), former winners of the Jet Award and two of the founders of the honor.

Reese is one of two Big 12 players named to the Jet Award watch list, one of 11 Big 12 players on the Hornung Award watch list, and one of just seven honored by both preseason accolades.

2024 Baylor Football Preseason Honors

Monaray Baldwin, WR

• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team (WR)
• Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team (WR)

Campbell Barrington, OL

• DCTF Preseason All-Texas First Team (OT)
• DCTF Lone Star Top 50 (No. 35)

Devyn Bobby, S

• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team (S)

Josh Cameron, WR

• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (PR)
• Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (PR)
• Phil Steele Preseason All-America Fourth Team (PR)

Alvin Ebosele, OL

• Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team (OL)

Dequan Finn, QB

• Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List

Caden Jenkins, CB

• DCTF Preseason All-Texas First Team (CB)
• Pick Six Previews Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (DB)
• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team (CB)
• Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team (CB)

Matt Jones, LB

• DCTF Preseason All-Texas First Team (LB)
• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (LB)
• Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (LB)

Coleton Price, OL

• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team (OL)

Richard Reese, RB/KR

• Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List
• Jet Award Preseason Watch List
• DCTF Lone Star Top 50 (No. 43)
• Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 First Team (KR)
• Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (KR)