In 2009, Florida State’s Greg Reid was explosive, energetic and a threat to any and all opponents when he took the field as a punt and kickoff returner. He also made his presence known on the defensive side of the ball, with a knack for being around the football when it was in the air.
Still equipped with those qualities, Reid is one of 48 candidates selected to the watchlist for the inaugural Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the nation’s most versatile player.
Created by the Louisville Sports Commission, the Hornung Award will honor the Louisville native, who was a three-sport star in high school, and went on to enjoy a Hall-of-Fame career at Notre Dame and with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
Known as “The Golden Boy,” Hornung won the Heisman Trophy and NFL MVP honors in a marvelous playing career that was capped by his induction into both the College Football and NFL Halls of Fame.
Hornung lined up at quarterback, halfback, fullback and safety for the Fighting Irish and also handled punts, kickoffs, field goals and extra points. He played fullback, halfback and quarterback for the Packers under legendary head coach Vince Lombardi, who called Hornung, “the most versatile man ever to play the game.”
Like Hornung, Reid wears No. 5 for the Seminoles.
Averaging 25.5 yards on kickoff returns as a freshman, Reid played in all 13 games and also averaged a Football Bowl Subdivision-leading 18.4 yards per punt return, which included a 68-yard touchdown return against Wake Forest. A week later against Maryland, his game-breaking, 48-yard punt return set up the Seminoles’ winning touchdown with 1:14 to play.
“I came to college to play defense,” Reid said after Tuesday’s practice. “I just play those other positions to help out. If they need help, I’m here. Like I said, I’ll play any position.”
Playing primarily as a nickel back on defense a season ago, Reid intercepted a pass against Miami in his first college game. Two weeks later, he returned an interception against BYU 63 yards for a touchdown. Last season marked the first time a Seminole returned both a punt and an interception for a touchdown in a season since 1992.
“I really don’t know,” Reid said jokingly when asked if opponents will punt away from him this season. “They’re not playing football if they kick away from me. They should just play football. I’m going to go after every punt.”
Reid earned ACC Specialist of the Week honors twice in 2009 and was ACC Defensive Back of the Week once. The Valdosta, Ga., native was a consensus Freshman All-American last season, as well.
Reid is expected to start at cornerback for the Seminoles in 2010 and will continue to contribute in the return game. After amassing a team-leading 1,114 all-purpose yards without a single yard of offense in 2009, FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher has said he intends to provide Reid with an opportunity to contribute on offense this season.
“I don’t know,” Reid said when asked about being integrated into the Seminoles’ offense. “You’ll have to see in September.”
Indeed we will.