COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland running back and kick returner Ty Johnson and wide receiver Taivon Jacobs were recognized on preseason watch lists Thursday morning.

Johnson was named to the 2018 Paul Hornung Award Watch List, while Jacobs was placed on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.

The Hornung Award, now in its ninth season, is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend Paul Hornung. Johnson is one 43 total players selected, including just five from the Big Ten.  

Johnson, who has also been named to the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award Watch Lists this preseason, proved his versatility last year by compiling 1,592 all-purpose yards.

The Cumberland, Maryland native led the Terps and ranked eighth in the Big Ten with 875 rushing yards in 2017. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry, which ranked third in the conference, and his 132.7 all-purpose yards per game average was fourth best in the league last year. Johnson totaled 657 kick return yards in 2017, the ninth-most in single-season program history.

The Hornung Award winner will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner, to be held at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville in March 2019.

The Wuerffel Trophy is known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service." Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Jacobs, who is Maryland's top returning wide receiver, is heavily involved in the Terps community service efforts. He has spent time volunteering at the National Institute of Health and mentoring elementary school kids at J.C. Nalle's afterschool program.

A native of Camp Springs, Maryland, Jacobs has also participated in the Best Buddies Walk, Maryland Day, Sean Davis' Youth Football Camp and in Maryland football's efforts at local food shelters.

Semifinalists for the Wuerffel Trophy Award will be announced on November 1 and finalists will be announced on November 19. The formal announcement of the 2018 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation's press conference in New York City on December 4. The presentation of the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 50th All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 15, 2019 in Fort Walton Beach.

Maryland opens its 2018 campaign against the University of Texas on September 1 at FedExField. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.