Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett was named the winner of the Jet Award, it was announced Thursday. Just what, exactly, is the Jet Award? Great question.
According to TheJetAward.com, “The Jet Award honors the most exciting and electrifying play in college football, the return. Those daredevils that dare to participate who we call specialists.” Okay, then.
Given in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “Jet” Rodgers of Nebraska, the Jet Award has been in existence since 2011. Joe Adams (Arkansas), Tavon Austin (West Virginia) and Ty Montgomery (Stanford) preceded Lockett in claiming the historic honor.
Kansas State’s all-time leading receiver, Lockett led the nation with a 19.1-yard punt return average and ranked third nationally in all-purpose yards per game at 176.6. The Tulsa product led the Big 12 in punt returns, receiving yards and all-purpose yards and finished his career ranked second among all Wildcats in all-purpose yardage, trailing only Darren Sproles.
Lockett will accept the honor April 2 in Omaha.