Brandon Boykin wins 2011 Paul Hornung Award

Georgia senior cornerback/returner Brandon Boykin has won the 2011 Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player, the Louisville Sports Commission announced today.

Boykin, a native of Fayetteville, Georgia, recorded 55 tackles (11 for loss), three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a safety this season. As a returner, Boykin amassed 850 kickoff return yards and 180 punt return yards.

On offense, Boykin rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 71 yards and two TD’s.

In the 2012 Outback Bowl against Michigan State, Boykin recorded a safety on the Spartans’ first play and also returned a punt 92-yards for a touchdown. The TD play now stands as the longest scoring play in Outback Bowl history.

Boykin’s final stats at Georgia are pretty impressive: 159 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, four kickoff return TD’s and one punt return TD.

From GeorgiaDogs.com:

“My experience at Georgia has changed my life in so many positive ways and allowed me to be considered for such a prestigious honor,” said Boykin. “Being a Georgia Bulldog has helped groom me into the individual I am on and off the field. Winning the Paul Hornung Award is an amazing accomplishment and one that I will forever cherish as one of my greatest accomplishments. I am humbled by the fact that I was selected as the winner by Mr. Hornung and everyone else involved with the selection process. I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, fans and the entire Georgia program for helping me to achieve this incredible achievement.”

“It’s rare for a modern-day college football player to perform at a high level in all three phases of the game, especially in an elite conference,” Paul Hornung said. “From what I’ve seen of Brandon Boykin, he is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win games. That’s how I played the game. Brandon Boykin is a deserving winner of the Paul Hornung Award.”

“There are not many players who have the skill sets Brandon possesses and he’s certainly the model of what the Hornung Award represents,” said UGA head coach Mark Richt. “I wish I had three of him. He could start on offense, defense, and special teams. He’s an outstanding person as well, a great leader, and a great Georgia man. We have been blessed to have him as a Georgia Bulldog.”