Houston’s Mekhi Mews Named to 2025 Paul Hornung Award Watch List

Photo credit Houston Cougars Football

HOUSTON, Texas (TXAN 24) – University of Houston wide receiver Mekhi Mews has been named to the 2025 Paul Hornung Award Watch List, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday.

The award, presented annually by Texas Roadhouse, honors the most versatile player in FBS college football—a title Mews has earned through his dynamic contributions in multiple phases of the game.

In his first season with the Cougars in 2024, Mews racked up 607 all-purpose yards across 12 games, including six starts. He logged 253 receiving yards, 207 kick return yards, 132 punt return yards—including a 75-yard touchdown vs. Rice—and 14 rushing yards.

The Grayson, Georgia native stood out as Houston’s primary punt returner, earning a 75.1 grade from Pro Football Focus—fourth-highest in the Big 12—and leading the team in kick return average at nearly 26 yards per return. Offensively, he posted 29 receptions (second on the team), 165 yards after the catch, and 11 first downs.

Over 30 career games, Mews has totaled 1,413 all-purpose yards and four career touchdowns—two receiving and two via punt return.

Houston kicks off Year 2 under Head Coach Willie Fritz with season tickets starting at $150. Fans can also choose two-game mini plans starting at $85.

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