Five Semifinalists Named for 2026 Jet Award

The Jet Award Foundation has announced the five semifinalists for the 16th Annual Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The award, named after Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, a 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027.

This year, the semifinalists are as follows: - Jaylon Hawkins, a sophomore wide receiver from San Diego State, who led the nation in kickoff return yards at midseason with 503 yards and an average of 38.7 yards per return. He also scored kickoff return touchdowns of 100 yards against Portland State and 96 yards against Texas State. - Easton Messer, a senior wide receiver from Florida Atlantic, who scored a 73-yard punt return touchdown at Louisiana-Monroe and a school-record 82-yard punt return touchdown against Rice in a five-touchdown game. He is the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rushing, two receiving, and a punt return touchdown in a single game. - Michael Scott, a sophomore wide receiver from James Madison, who ranked second in the nation in kickoff return average at midseason with 38.3 yards per return. - Vicari Swain, a junior cornerback from South Carolina, who scored two punt return touchdowns against Towson and holds the school record for career punt return touchdowns with five. He was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. - Javon Tracy, a senior wide receiver from Minnesota, who led the nation in punt return yards at midseason with 299 yards. He scored two punt return touchdowns of 87 and 69 yards against Eastern Illinois, a Minnesota first and the only fourth time in Big Ten history. Tracy was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.

The winner of the 2026 Jet Award will be selected by a distinguished panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), former winners of the Jet Award, and two of the esteemed founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

The Jet Award Foundation was established to recognize outstanding return specialists in college football and to honor athletes who demonstrate exceptional skill and impact in the return game. Since 2017, the foundation has provided scholarships to students majoring in the trades at Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College, with more than 500 students benefiting from these awards.