Jet Award names 2026 semifinalists for top college return specialist

The Jet Award Foundation announced five semifinalists for the 2026 Jet Award on Nov. 11, 2026, recognizing college football's top return specialist. The winner will be revealed at the Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027, with finalists drawn from the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, American Conference and Sun Belt.

Why it matters: - The Jet Award spotlights the return specialist role, one of the most explosive and momentum-shifting jobs in college football. - The award also supports the Jet Award Foundation's scholarship work for trade students at Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College. - Since 2017, the foundation has awarded aid to more than 500 students.

What happened: - The Jet Award Foundation announced five semifinalists for the 2026 Jet Award on Nov. 11, 2026. - The award honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. - The winner will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027. - The semifinalists were chosen by a vote of the Jet Award media panel. - The award is in its 16th year.

The details: - The award is named for Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers. - The 2026 semifinalists include three punt returners and two kickoff returners. - The group represents the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, American Conference and Sun Belt. - The winner will be selected by a panel that includes members of the Football Writers Association of America, former Jet Award winners, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed. - Johnny Rodgers said these five semifinalists have changed games all season and any one of them would be a worthy winner. - The Jet Award Foundation said more information is available at The Jet Award website.

• Jaylon Hawkins, a redshirt freshman wide receiver at San Diego State, is a kickoff returner.
• Hawkins led the nation in kickoff return yards at midseason with 503 yards and a 38.7-yard average.
• Hawkins returned kickoffs for touchdowns of 100 yards against Portland State and 96 yards against Texas State.
• Hawkins earned Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
• Easton Messer, a senior wide receiver at Florida Atlantic, is a punt returner.
• Messer had a 73-yard punt return touchdown at Louisiana-Monroe.
• Messer set a school record with an 82-yard punt return touchdown against Rice in a five-touchdown game.
• Messer became the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rushing touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns and a punt return touchdown in one game.
• Messer was named American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
• Michael Scott, a sophomore wide receiver at James Madison, is a punt returner.
• Scott ranked second in the nation in kickoff return average at midseason at 38.3 yards.
• Vicari Swain, a junior cornerback at South Carolina, is a punt returner.
• Swain returned two punts for touchdowns against Towson.
• Swain is South Carolina's career leader with five punt return touchdowns.
• Swain earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
• Javon Tracy, a senior wide receiver at Minnesota, is a punt returner.
• Tracy led the nation in punt return yards at midseason with 299.
• Tracy had punt return touchdowns of 87 and 69 yards against Eastern Illinois.
• Minnesota said that was a first for the program and only the fourth time in Big Ten history.
• Tracy was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.

Between the lines: - The semifinalist list shows how return specialists can come from multiple conferences and defensive or offensive positions, not just one role group. - The mix of long touchdowns, national rankings and conference honors suggests special teams performance is still a clear path to national recognition. - The foundation is pairing a football award with a scholarship mission, which broadens the event beyond the field.

What's next: - The Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027, will reveal the winner. - The final vote will come from media members, former winners and the award's founders. - Fans can follow updates through the Jet Award's social channels and website.