Cameron Pettaway, a standout running back for the Iowa State Cyclones, has been named to the 2026 Paul Hornung Award preseason watch list, a honor reserved for the most versatile player in major college football.
A Freshman Sensation Turns Veteran
After transferring from Bowling Green, Pettaway burst onto the scene as the 2025 MAC Freshman of the Year and earned FWAA Freshman All‑American and first‑team All‑MAC honors as a kick returner.
His impact was immediate; he topped the nation in kickoff return average with 33 yards per return and capped the season opener with a 98‑yard touchdown return.
Beyond special teams, the redshirt sophomore carried the ball 72 times for 365 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and added eight receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
More Than a Return Specialist
The versatility that earned him the Hornung watch list also placed him on the 2026 Jet Award preseason list, underscoring his reputation as the nation’s premier return specialist.
Iowa State will open the 2026 campaign at home on September 5 against SEMO at Jack Trice Stadium, where Pettaway hopes to translate his early‑season momentum into another groundbreaking year.
Coaches and analysts alike predict that his blend of speed, vision and playmaking ability could reshape how the Cyclones utilize him in multiple roles.