Hamler Selected FWAA Freshman All-AmericaHamler Selected FWAA Freshman All-America
Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics

Hamler Selected FWAA Freshman All-America

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Return specialist KJ Hamler (Pontiac, Mich.) was named to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-America team as a kick returner after a fantastic rookie season.
 
KJ Hamler, KR, So./Fr., 5-9, 173, Pontiac, Mich./IMG Academy (Fla.)

  • Selected to the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-America team as a kick returner.
  • Named to The Athletic Freshman All-America team as a kick/punt returner and all-purpose player.
  • Honorable-mention all-conference as a return specialist by coaches and media.
  • Selected as a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the FBS' Most Versatile Player.
  • Named to Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (9/10) following the Pitt game.
  • Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week (10/1) after the Ohio State game.
  • Selected to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (10/1) after the Ohio State game.
  • Named to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week (10/1) following the Ohio State game.
  • Ranks No. 4 in the Big Ten and No. 31 in the FBS with 619 total return yards.
  • Sits No. 18 in the nation and No. 3 in the conference with a 26.2 kick return average.
  • Is No. 6 in the Big Ten and No. 50 in the country with 109.0 all-purpose yards per game.
  • Ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 25 in FBS averaging 17.95 yards per reception.
  • Returned a kickoff 52 yards to spark PSU's game-tying drive versus Appalachian State (9/1).
  • Had kick returns of 27 and 28 yards for a total of 145 all-purpose yards at Pittsburgh (9/8).
  • Totaled 107 all-purpose yards on three touches, catching a 22-yard pass, returning a kickoff 52 yards and a punt 33 yards against Kent State (9/15).
  • Had a 17-yard punt return and a 12-yard kick return at Illinois (9/21).
  • Totaled a career-best 195 all-purpose yards, including 47 yards on three kick returns and a 10-yard punt return, against Ohio State (9/29).
  • Returned three kickoffs for 57 yards, including a 24-yard return, against Michigan State (10/13).
  • Returned the opening kickoff 58 yards, a career-best return, and added a 21-yard kick return and a 16-yard punt return at Indiana (10/20).
  • Totaled 188 all-purpose yards via five passes for 96 yards and 82 kick return yards, including a career-best 67-yard return in the fourth quarter, against Iowa (10/27). Also gained 10 yards on three punt returns.
  • Returned two kickoffs for 30 yards and had a 1-yard punt return at Michigan (11/3).
  • Matched a career high with five catches for 35 yards against Wisconsin (11/10).
  • Had a 15-yard punt return at Rutgers (11/17).

 
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