Omaha, NE – December 15th –
The 2013 Jet Award goes to Ty Montgomery of Stanford. Montgomery is a Dallas, Texas native and finished the season first nationally with 31.2 kickoff return yards/game and he is tied for second nationally with two kickoff returns for touchdowns. The junior is ninth nationally with 161.0 all-purpose yards/game and 10 games with 100+ all-purpose yards. Montgomery is 1st team all Pac-12 as a returner and 2nd team as a wide receiver.
Three finalists were considered for the 2013 award by the media voting panel. Along with Montgomery, Odell Beckham Jr of LSU and Freshman Ryan Switzer of North Carolina were also selected.
The Jet Award honors the best return specialist in college football. Drawing its name from former Heisman trophy winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, the Jet Award will be voted on by a selection committee, featuring football writers and broadcasters from around the country, as well as Rodgers.
To be considered for the Jet Award, players must be a primary kick or punt returner for their team. They must be among the national leaders in return categories and show leadership, courage, desire and respect for authority and discipline. West Virginia’s Tavon Austin won the award in 2012. Joe Adams of Arkansas won the inaugural award in 2011.
The initial watch list of fifty was narrowed down by our selection committee to 13 athletes for a mid-season watch list in late October. Three finalists were determined after the final games of the regular season. The winner was chosen by a vote of the selection committee.
Veteran college football return specialists will be honored with Legacy awards each year as well. Former LSU Tiger and 1959 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon was awarded the 2012 Legacy award. This year, veteran return specialist from the 1960’s will receive Legacy awards.
The award event will take place at the Ralston Arena this year. The Keynote speaker will be Jay Harris of ESPN. Proceeds benefit the Johnny Rodgers Youth Foundation’s charitable programs. Currently through his youth foundation, Rodgers has joined the fight to keep kids in school until graduation.
2013 The Jet Award Finalist
Player Year School
Odell Beckham Jr Jr. LSU Ty Montgomery Jr. Stanford Ryan Switzer Fr. North Carolina