Arkansas wide receiver and return specialist Kam Shanks has been named to the 2025 Jet Award watch list, according to an announcement by the Jet Award Foundation on Friday.
The Jet Award, now in its 15th year, recognizes the top return specialist in college football. The award is named after Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, a Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer. The presentation for this year’s honor will take place at the Jet Award Gala on April 2, 2026, at Steelhouse Omaha.
Shanks joined Arkansas after playing two seasons at UAB. During his redshirt freshman season in 2024, he led all FBS players in punt return yards (329), punt return average (20.6), and punt return touchdowns (2). He was also a finalist for last year’s Jet Award. Beyond his special teams play, Shanks recorded two games with over 100 receiving yards: nine catches for 119 yards against Army on October 12 and a career-high 153 yards with three touchdowns against Tulsa on November 2.
The preseason watch list highlights players from across the country who have excelled as return specialists. Selection of the winner will be made by a panel that includes media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), previous recipients of the Jet Award, and founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.
Joe Adams, another Arkansas standout, won the first-ever Jet Award in 2011 after scoring four punt return touchdowns and totaling 316 yards on 19 returns.
Arkansas began fall camp Friday morning. The Razorbacks will open their season against Alabama A&M on August 30 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network.
For information about Arkansas football tickets, fans can contact the Razorback Ticket Center at 479.575.5151 or visit their official site.
