Oklahoma WR Jalil Farooq Wins National Award

Oklahoma wide receiver Jalil Farooq is this week’s winner of the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week.

The Hornung Award goes to “outstanding performances by versatile college football players who often go unnoticed” and is often associated with all-purpose excellence in multiple categories, including special teams.

On Saturday against Texas, Farooq — a junior from Lanham, MD — delivered 130 yards receiving, 13 yards rushing and 37 yards on kickoff returns, accounting for a game-high 180 all-purpose yards in the Sooners’ riveting 34-30 victory over their arch rival.

Farooq touched the ball 10 times three different ways and also accounted for six first downs. Five of Farooq’s first downs came on pass receptions, four were instrumental in Sooner scoring drives, including a 16-yard catch into Texas territory with 1:02 remaining that led to the winning touchdown. He carried the ball three times and returned two kickoffs.

Farooq is currently third on the team with 20 receptions and second with 415 receiving yards and leads the Sooners with 661 all-purpose yards. He will likely see an increased workload in the passing game with Monday’s news that Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony was lost for the season with a leg injury.

The Louisville Sports Commission began the Paul Hornung Award in 2010 to honor its namesake and native son. A national selection committee comprised of 17 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the Hornung Award finalists and the winner.

Other finalists this week were Oregon State’s Silas Bolden, Buffalo’s Ron Cook, Jr., and UCLA’s Keegan Jones.

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