Cincinnati versatile athlete Ryan Montgomery named to watch list for Paul Hornung Award

Keith Jenkins, Cincinnati Enquirer
·1 min read
UC's Ryan Montgomery celebrates after scoring UC's first touchdown during the UC Bearcats and South Florida game at Raymond James Stadium on Friday November 12, 2021. UC lead the game at 24-7 by halftime.
UC's Ryan Montgomery celebrates after scoring UC's first touchdown during the UC Bearcats and South Florida game at Raymond James Stadium on Friday November 12, 2021. UC lead the game at 24-7 by halftime.

University of Cincinnati running back and return specialist Ryan Montgomery has been named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in college football.

The Louisville Sports Commission on Friday recognized the 5-foot-11, 208-pound senior as one of 52 players on the list for the award won by Houston's Marcus Jones last season.

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Montgomery played in all 14 games for the Bearcats last season as both a running back and as Cincinnati's No. 1 punt returner.

Montgomery earned a third-team All-American Athletic Conference selection from Pro Football Focus in 2021 as a punt returner after returning 20 punts for 229 yards. His 11.5 yards-per-return average ranked second in the AAC and 10th nationally.

Cincinnati Bearcats running back Ryan Montgomery (22) catches a pass while warming up before the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Ryan Montgomery (22) catches a pass while warming up before the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind.

The Franklin, Ohio, native rushed for a career-high 312 yards on 46 carries and three touchdowns last season. The versatile back also caught six passes for 42 yards and a score.

Montgomery is fourth in Bearcats history in career punt returns (62) and career punt return yards (597).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC versatile athlete Montgomery named to Paul Hornung Award watch list