UConn running back Victor Rosa named to watch list for Paul Hornung Award

3-3 minutes 8/3/2023
UConn running back Victor Rosa, who climbed the depth chart and finished with a team-leading 11 touchdowns last season while also returning kickoffs and punts, made the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, the team announced Thursday.
The award, in its 14th year, recognizes the most versatile player in college football. Oregon State’s Jack Colletto, who played linebacker, fullback and some quarterback as well as special teams in 2022, received the award last season.
Rosa, a Bristol native, saw his role increase dramatically as a freshman last season as injuries plagued the running back room and vaulted him into a lead role. He finished the season with 140 carries and 636 rushing yards, and his longest run went for 61 yards at FIU. On special teams, he returned 15 kicks for 283 yards and nine punts for 53 yards. Rosa was also credited with making one solo tackle after an interception.
From Bristol Boys to Storrs, UConn football’s Victor Rosa and UConn basketball’s Donovan Clingan have each found their own paths to success
Rosa will have his work cut out for him to get back into the lead role at running back this season. Head coach Jim Mora said Monday after the team’s first day of fall camp that Rosa is currently third on the depth chart behind speedy juniors Devontae Houston and Brian Brewton. Houston, while beat up and playing through what appeared to be a shoulder injury, ran for 578 yards and three touchdowns on 84 carries last year, and Brewton missed most of the season with a fractured elbow.
UConn also added Jalen Mitchell, a senior running back from Louisville, out of the transfer portal and appears to like sophomore Hunter Clark, from Greenwich, to fill the power-rushing role previously held by Robert Burns.
A list of candidates will be presented to the 17-member Hornung Award selection committee on Nov. 12. The list will be narrowed down to a group of finalists on Nov. 15 and the committee will vote on a winner to be announced Dec. 6.
Offensive lineman Christian Haynes and linebacker Jackson Mitchell were each named to the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy watch list on Thursday. The award recognizes community service and leadership on and off the field.
Haynes, a preseason All-American, was named to the Outland Trophy watch list for the best interior lineman and Mitchell was put on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the best defensive player in college football, on Tuesday.