2013 Jet Award Winner and Finalist

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 1^st team all Pac-12 as a returner and 2^nd 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  

Mid-Season Jet Award Watch List

For Immediate Release                                                                        For More Information Tele  (402) 350-8000  Fax:  (402) 342-5874

 

 

                                   The Jet Return Specialist Award Mid-Season Watch List

Annual Jet Award

 

Omaha, NE – October 29nd –

 

 

 

The 2013 Jet Award mid-season watch list includes 13 of the nation’s leaders in punt and kickoff returns. Athletes on the watch list represent 6 different conferences and independent BYU. University of Alabama’s Christion Jones (Jr.) is the nation’s returning leader in kickoff return average (32.7) and has two return touchdowns. Kevonte Martin Manley (Jr.) of Iowa has two punt return touchdowns and leads the nation in punt return average (24.2).

 

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 will be narrowed down by our selection committee to 13 athletes for a mid-season watch list in late October. That list will be whittled down to four finalists in November. The winner will be chosen by a vote of the selection committee and the 2013 winner will be announced in December.

 

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 and will 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 Mid Season Watch List
Player     Year        School                                                                                                      Bralon Addison                 Soph         Oregon                                                                           Odell Beckham                  Jr.            LSU                                                                               Isaiah Burse                     Sr.           Fresno State                                                                 Brelan Chancellor             Sr.           North Texas                                                                     Jamison Crowder              Jr.             Duke                                                                             JD Falslev                         Sr   .         BYU                                                                               Janarion Grant                   Fr.           Rutgers                                                                           Autrey Golden                   Soph       UTEP                                                                               Duke Johnson                    Soph       Miami                                                                           Christion Jones                   Jr.          Alabama                                                                     Marcus Jones                   Jr.            Minnesota                                                                       Kevonte Martin-Manley      Jr           Iowa                                                                                 Ty Montgomery                   Jr.          Stanford                                                                        Josh Stewart                       Jr.           Oklahoma St                                                                  

2013 Jet Award Watch List

 

                                     The Jet Return Specialist Award Watch List

Annual Jet Award

 Omaha, NE – July 22nd –

The 2013 Jet Award watch list includes one of last year’s finalists for the award, Marcus Murphy (Sr) of Missouri. Murphy returned three punts for touchdowns in 2012. Athletes on the watch list represent eleven different conferences and Independent BYU, with the SEC leading the way with nine. University of Miami’s Duke Johnson (Soph) is the nation’s returning leader in kickoff return average (33). Tremaine Thompson (Sr) of Kansas State led the nation in 2012 in punt return average (19.8).

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 his 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.

From the initial watch list, a list of 12 semifinalists will be announced at the end of October and the list will be whittled down to four finalists in November. The winner will be chosen by a vote of the selection committee and the 2013 winner will be announced in December.

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 specialists from the 1960’s will receive Legacy awards.

The award event will move to the Ralston Arena this year and will 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 Watch List

Player     Year        School
Ralph David Abernathy IV        Jr..           Cincinnati
Antonio Andrews                      Sr.            Western Kentucky                                               Dri Archer                                Sr.          Kent State  
DJ Banks                                Sr.          Louisiana Tech                                                           Odell Beckham                      Jr.          LSU                                                                             Corey Brown                          Sr.           Ohio State                                                                   Isaiah Burse                          Sr.            Fresno State                                                             Chase Clayton                      Jr.           New Mexico State                                                       Jordan Cotton                       Sr.          Iowa                                                                               Andre Debose                       Sr.          Florida                                                                       Quandre Diggs                    Jr.          Texas                                                                             Stefon Diggs                      Soph           Maryland                                                                     Tyler Ervin                           Jr.          San Jose State                                                             Spiffy Evans                        Jr.          Boston College                                                             JD Falslev                          Sr.          BYU                                                                                 Justin Gilbert                      Sr.          Oklahoma State                                                             Autrey Golden                   Soph         UTEP                                                                             Jamal Golden                      Jr.         Georgia Tech                                                                 Rashad Green                    Jr.           Florida State                                                                 Rannell Hall                        Soph         Central Florida                                                             Akeem Hunt                      Jr.           Purdue                                                                           Duke Johnson                  Soph           Miami                                                                           Christion Jones                  Jr.           Alabama                                                                         Demitri Knowles                 Soph         Virginia Tech                                                                 Jonathan Krause                Sr.          Vanderbilt                                                                       Marqise Lee                      Jr.            USC                                                                               Richard Leonard                Jr.            Florida International                                                       Jameon Lewis                    Jr.           Mississippi State                                                           Tommylee Lewis               Soph           Northern Illinois                                                           Colin Lockett                     Sr.           San Diego State                                                             Tyler Lockett                      Jr.           Kansas State                                                                 Venric Mark                       Sr.           Northwestern                                                                 Marques Mosley                Soph          Colorado                                                                     Marcus Murphy                   Jr.           Missouri                                                                       Dennis Norfleet                   Soph          Michigan                                                                     Louchiez Purifoy                 Jr.           Florida                                                                         Bernard Reedy                   Sr.           Toledo                                                                         Jamill Smith                        Sr.          Ball State                                                                         Darryl Surgent                   Jr.            Louisiana-Lafayette                                                      Damien Thigpen                 Sr.           UCLA                                                                            De’Anthony Thomas          Jr.            Oregon                                                                          Tremaine Thompson          Sr.           Kansas State                                                                 Jamal Turner                      Jr.            Nebraska                                                                       Jaylen Walton                   Soph         Ole Miss                                                                         Sammy Watkins                 Jr.          Clemson                                                                       Trey Watts                          Jr.            Tulsa                                                                           Reggie Whatley                   Jr.          Middle Tennessee State                                               Trey Williams                    Soph          Texas A&M                                                                   J.J. Worton                            Jr.            UCF

Link

Congratulations to Tavon Austin                   2012 Jet Award Winner

                                   Jet Return Specialist Award names 2012 Winner

Second annual Jet Award

Omaha, NE – January 16th –

West Virginia Senior Tavon Austin has been named the 2012 Jet Award Return Specialist winner. Austin finished second in the country in All Purpose Running averaging more than 220 yards a game combining rushing, receiving, punt and kick return yards. The former Mountaineer averaged more than 25 yards a kickoff return with both a kickoff and punt return touchdown.

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 is voted on by a selection committee featuring football writers and broadcasters from around the country, as well as Johnny Rodgers.

To be considered for the Jet Award players must be a primary kick or punt returner for his team. They must be among the national leaders in return categories and show leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline.

Veteran college football return specialists will be honored with an award each year as well, with the first winner being Billy Cannon for his performance in 1959. This year’s veteran will receive a trophy at the Jet Award ceremony. Up to five former players are expected to be named each year.

The award event will 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.

 

                                       Finalist for the Jet Return Specialist Award

Second annual Jet Award

Omaha, NE – December 17th –

The finalists for the 2012 Jet Award include three of the nation’s leading kickoff and punter returners. Hawaii junior Mike Edwards is second in the nation in number of kickoff returns (40) and first in yards (1,215) with three touchdowns. Missouri’s Marcus Murphy has four total return touchdowns while averaging nearly 14 yards a punt return. West Virginia’s Tavon Austin ranks in the top 25 in both punt and kickoff returns with two touchdowns.

 

The winner of the 2012 Jet Award will be voted on and named following the college football bowl season.

 

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 is voted on by a selection committee featuring football writers and broadcasters from around the country, as well as Johnny Rodgers.

 

To be considered for the Jet Award players must be a primary kick or punt returner for his team. They must be among the national leaders in return categories and show leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline.

 

Veteran college football return specialists will be honored with legend awards each year as well, with the first winners coming from 1960 thru 1969. This year’s veteran will receive a trophy at the Jet Award ceremony.

 

The award event will 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.

 

 

2012 Finalist Jet Award Watch List
Player                             Year      School
Tavon Austin                  Sr    West Virginia

Mike Edwards               Jr      Hawaii 

Marcus Murphy          So          Missouri

 

Midseason Jet Award Watch List

2012 Midseason Jet Award Watch List
Player                             Year      School
Ameer Abdullah               So.         Nebraska
Tavon Austin                    Sr.          West Virginia
Dri Archer                            Jr.           Kent State
Mike Edwards                   Jr             Hawaii                                                                                                                                                Rashad Green                 So.          Florida State
Duke Johnson                    Fr.          Miami                                                                                                                                                    Tyler Lockett                       So.         Kansas State                                                                                                                                          Venric Mark                        Jr.           Northwestern
Marcus Murphy                  So.          Missouri
Coradelle Patterson           Jr.           Tennessee
Ace Sanders                      Jr.           South Carolina                                                                                                                                        Trey Watts                         Jr.           Tulsa

Midseason Jet Award List

For Immediate Release                                                               For More Information

Tele:  (402) 350-8000  Fax:  (402) 342-5874

                                   Midseason Jet Return Specialist Award Watch List

Second annual Jet Award

Omaha, NE – October 19th –

The Midseason 2012 Jet Award watch list includes several of the nation’s leading kickoff and punter returners. Hawaii junior Mike Edwards leads the nation in number of kickoff returns (26) and yards (807) with two touchdowns. Missouri’s Marcus Murphy has three punt return touchdowns while averaging nearly 19 yards a return. Kent State junior Dri Archer is averaging more than 47 yards a kickoff return with three touchdowns.

Athletes on the watch list represent seven different conferences, with the SEC leading the way with three. Nebraska Sophomore Ameer Abdullah, Junior Venric Mark from Northwestern and Missouri Sophomore Murphy are among the leaders in both punt return and kickoff return.

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 Johnny Rodgers and Joe Adams, the 2011 winner of the Jet Award.

To be considered for the Jet Award players must be a primary kick or punt returner for his team. They must be among the national leaders in return categories and show leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline.

This midseason watch list twelve will be whittled down to four finalists in November. The winner will be chosen by a vote of the selection committee and the 2012 winner will be announced before the award presentation in December.

Veteran college football return specialists will be honored with legend awards each year as well, with the first winners coming from 1960 thru 1969. This year’s veteran recipient will be announced in November.

The award event will 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.

2012 Midseason Jet Award Watch List

Player Year  School

 

Ameer Abdullah  So. Nebraska

Tavon Austin  Sr.  West Virginia

Dri Austin    Jr.  Kent State

Mike Edwards  Jr.  Hawaii

Rashad Green  So.  Florida State

Duke Johnson  Fr.  Miami

Tyler Lockett  So.  Kansas State

Marcus Murphy  So. Missouri
Coradelle Patterson  Jr. Tennessee

Ace Sanders Jr.  South Carolina

Trey Watts  Jr.  Tulsa

Jet Award 2012 Watch List

2012 Watch List for The Jet Award

Jared Abbrederis Jr  Wisconsin

20 punt returns 316 yards 1td, 15.75 yrds per return

28 KO returns 689 yards, 24.61 yrds per return

Ameer Abdullah Soph Nebraska

26 Kickoff returns 763 yards 1td, 29.35 yrds per return

Ralph David Abernathy IV Soph Cincinnati

39 KO returns 1034 yards 1td, 26.51 yrds per return

Justin Albert Sr Troy

28 Punt returns 230 yards, 8.21 yrds per return

Tavon Austin Sr West Virginia

19 Punt returns 268 yards. 14.11 yrds per return

George Atkinson III Soph Notre Dame

35 KO returns 915 yards 2td, 26.14 yrds per return

DJ Beshears Jr Kansas

49 KO returns 1014 yards, 20.6 yrds per return

Matt Brown Sr Temple

28 KO returns 703 yards 1td, 25.11 yrds per return

18 punt returns 182 yrds, 10.11 yrds per return

Andre Booker Sr Marshall

18 Punt returns 195 yards 1td, 10.83 yrds per return

Mitch Burroughs Sr Boise State

18 Punt returns 239 yards, 13.28 yrds per return

Isaiah Burse Jr Fresno State

75 KO returns 1606 yards, 21.41 yrds per return

Jeremy Deering Jr Rutgers

17 KO returns 530 yards 1td, 31.18 yrds per return

John Evans Soph Western Kentucky

18 KO returns 579 yards 1td, 32.17 yrds per return

JD Falslev Jr BYU

22 Punt returns 220 yards 1td, 10 yrds per return

Jerry “Booboo” Gates Jr Bowling Green

38 KO returns 981 yards 1td, 25.82 yrds per return

Justin Gilbert Soph Oklahoma State

26 KO returns 703 yards 2 td, 27.04 yrds per return

Jordan Hall Sr Ohio State

26 KO returns 683 yrds, 26.26 yrds per return

Rannell Hall Soph Central Florida

23 KO returns 714 yards, 31.04 yrds per return

Dustin Harris Sr Texas A&M

18 Punt retrns 335 yards 1td, 18.61 yrds per return

16 KO returns 374 yards, 23.38 yrds per return

Jayron Hosley Sr Va Tech

18 Punt returns 228 yrds, 12.67 yrds per return

Tracy Lampley Sr Southern Miss

14 Punt returns 356 yards 1td, 11.48 yrds per return

Tommylee Lewis Soph Northern Illinois

30 KO returns 755 yards 2td, 25.17 yrds per return

Venric Mark Jr Northwestern

40 KO returns 915 yards, 22.87 yrds per return

Ben McRoy JR Texas Tech

36 KO returns 899 yards, 24.97 yrds per return

Jamal Miles Sr Arizona State

30 KO returns 788 yards 2 td, 26.27 yrds per return

Raheem Mostert Soph Purdue

25 KO retruns 837 yards 1td, 33.48 yrds per return

Darryl Surgent Soph La-Lafayette

27 Punt returns 323 yards 1td, 11.96 yrds per return

De’Anthony Thomas Soph Oregon

36 KO returns 983 yards 2td, 27.31 yrds per return

TJ Thorpe Soph North Carolina

36 KO return 960 yards 1td, 26.67 yrds per return

Justin Veltung Sr Idaho

18 Punt return 185 yards 2td, 10.27 yrds per return

23 KO return 494 yards, 21.47 yrds per return

Robert Woods JR USC

18 Punt returns 118 yards, 6.5 yrds per return

17 KO returns 393 yards, 23.11 yrds per return

For more information on the Jet Award go to http://www.thejetaward.com/

Voting panel and Parameters for voting

Johnny “The Jet” Return Specialist Award

To be considered for the Jet Award players must be a Division I college football team member and meet the following qualifications:

• Be a primary return specialist (Kick or Punt returner) for their team.
• Be among the national leaders in return categories
• Shows leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline.

The first round of voting should be conducted in late September and early October. From that first round of votes, the list of 12 semifinalists will be created and released at the end of October.

The second round of voting will take place in mid-October to form the list of four finalists.  A final vote in early December to determine the winner and the decision is announced at the Award Presentation.

Johnny Rodgers will also receive a vote along with the previous winner (s)Joe Adams

Media Voting Panel

Tom Shatel   Omaha World Herald (Local)

Adam Rittenberg  ESPN.com (Midwest/National)

Bruce Feldman   CBS Sports.com (Pac-12/National)

Dennis Dodd  CBS Sports.com  (Midwest)

Coley Harvey  Orlando Sentinel  (Florida)

Gerry Dinardo  BTN Former Head Coach   (Midwest/National)

Damon Benning  Former College FB Player

Blair Kerkoff   KC Star  (Midwest)

George Schroeder  USA Today (Pacific NW)

Cedric Golden  Austin American Statesman  (Texas)

Edward Aschoff  ESPN.com (Southeast)

Lisa Horne  Fox Sports  (Pac-12)

Charles Davis  Fox sports/NFL Network  (National)

For more information on the Jet Award go to http://www.thejetaward.com/

Media Voting Panel

The Jet Award is awarded to College Football’s best return specialist. It takes 5 years for a college football award to be officially recognized by the Football Writers Association of America. A media voting panel will help select the winner for the next four years. This website will be used to acknowledge the Media members who will be on the panel, establish the parameters for eligible candidates and release the Jet Award watch list. We will also post the list as it is narrowed down through the football season.

For more information on the Jet Award go to http://www.thejetaward.com/