Chris Tyree Named To Hornung Award Watch List

Notre Dame senior Chris Tyree is playing a new position in 2023, but eyes will certainly be on him as he transitions to wide receiver. The Hornung Award certainly has their eyes on Tyree, who was named to the preseason watch list for that award.

The Hornung Award is named after Notre Dame legend and Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung. It was first handed out in 2010 and it goes to a player viewed as the "best versatile, high-level performer in college football." It often looks at players who play multiple positions, but also those who make an impact in the return game as well.

Tyree spent his first three seasons playing running back at Notre Dame. He enters his senior season with 1,162 career rushing yards, 56 career catches for 461 yards, 1,057 kick return yards and 13 total touchdowns. As a freshman he led the Irish with 6.8 yards per carry, rushing for a career high 496 yards. As a sophomore in 2021, Tyree made his first career start in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State, and he caught six passes for 115 yards. Tyree had a 53-yard touchdown catch in that game. 

Earlier that season, Tyree's 96-yard kick return for a score against Wisconsin gave the Irish a fourth quarter lead it would not relinquish and sparked the team to a 41-13 win. Tyree has a pair of 90+ yard touchdowns in his career, which also includes a 94-yard run against Syracuse back in 2020. Tyree has four career touchdowns of at least 50 yards.

Now a senior, Tyree is expected to be more of a focal point on offense. He'll likely continue making an impact in the run game and pass game, but he'll obviously be a bigger factor in the pass game. The Virginia native enters the 2023 season as the team's top returning rusher and pass catcher from a career production standpoint.