Swain Named to Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List

LOUSIVILLE, Ky. – Junior defensive back Vacari Swain was tabbed one of 39 players across FBS to the 2026 Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List on Monday. Now in its 17th season, the Paul Hornung Award is presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football in memory of late football legend and Louisville native, Paul Hornung.

The winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville in March.

Swain was an All-SEC selection and All-American last season as a return specialist for the Gamecocks. He finished the season with 19 punt returns for 302 yards with three touchdowns, tying the program’s single-season record. Swain and Iowa’s Kaden Wtjen were the only FBS players to return three punts for touchdowns in 2025. His 15.9-yard punt return average was No. 3 in the SEC and No. 7 nationally. A native of Carrollton, Ga., Swain’s 302 punt return yards were the most by a Gamecock since Ace Sanders’ school record 429 yards in 2012. He played in 12 games with three starts at cornerback for South Carolina last season, totaling 28 tackles (24 solo), five pass breakups, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.

Swain is one of 10 players from the Southeastern Conference represented on the Hornung Award Preseason Watch List, which leads all FBS leagues represented. The full watch list can be found here.

South Carolina returns to the field tomorrow morning with the team’s fourth practice of preseason camp. The team’s first practice in full pads will take place on Friday.

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