Ohio State Buckeyes

Two Buckeyes among nation's most versatile players

Published Jul. 6, 2015 12:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

Seven Big Ten players are part of the watch list for the fifth-annual Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the nation's most versatile player, including two from Ohio State.

Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall proved to be a formidable one-two punch as H-backs and return men last season with Marshall stepping into a larger role after Wilson was injured late in the season.

Wilson, a Texas native who will be a junior this fall, caught 21 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns last season. He was averaging 5.6 yards per carry when a foot injury sidelined him following the Michigan State game in early November.

Marshall, a five-star prospect who starred at quarterback at Middletown High School in southwest Ohio, finished with 499 yards on 38 receptions. He caught six touchdown passes on the year and finished strong, hauling in a combined 10 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns in November games against Indiana and Minnesota before logging 12 catches for 143 yards in the Buckeyes' three postseason games. He also ran for 145 yards and a touchdown during his redshirt freshman season.

Also nominated for the Hornung Award from the Big Ten are Rutgers receiver Janarion Grant, Illinois cornerback V'Angelo Bentley, Nebraska receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El, Maryland cornerback William Likely and Michigan State receiver R.J. Shelton.