JONESBORO, Ark. (7/25/19) – Arkansas State senior wide receiver Kirk Merritt was named to a third major college football award watch list Thursday, most recently tabbed as one of 44 candidates for the 2019 Paul Hornung Award.
The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, is now in its 10th season and is annually presented to the most versatile player in major college football. Merritt becomes the third player in school history to appear on the watch list, joining former cornerback Blaise Taylor (2017) and wide receiver J.D. McKissic (2014).
Merritt is one of just six players in America who have now been named to this year’s watch lists for the Hornung Award, Maxwell Award and Biletnikoff Award. Additionally, he is the only player in A-State history to be named to all three watch lists.
The Destrehan, La., native was a First Team All-Sun Belt selection and the league’s Newcomer of the Year in 2018. Merritt recorded 83 receptions for 1,005 yards, which were both the third most in school history. He averaged 6.4 receptions per game to rank 20th in the nation, while his total receiving yards ranked 35th.
Merritt completed the year with five receiving touchdowns while also hitting the 100-yard mark in three outings, including a season-high 180 yards against Coastal Carolina that were the ninth most in A-State history for a single game. He also led A-State in both kickoff returns (11) and yards (239), averaging 21.7 yards per attempt with a long return covering 50 yards.
The Paul Hornung Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast more than 800 recipients, dating to 1935.
Arkansas State is set to open its 2019 season Aug. 31 with a 6 p.m. kickoff at Centennial Bank Stadium against SMU. Season tickets are available for purchase through the A-State Ticket Office, located at First National Bank Arena’s lower red entrance, in person, by phone at 870-972-2781 or online by visiting AStateRedWolves.com.
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