Swain Named to the Jet Award Midseason Watch List

University of South Carolina punt returner Vicari Swain has been named to the 18-man midseason watch list for the Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. Celebrating its 15th year, the Jet Award continues to honor the electrifying talents of players who excel on punt and kickoff returns.

Swain, a 6-1, 190-pound redshirt sophomore from Carrollton, Ga., leads the nation with three punt returns for touchdowns, tying the school record. He ranks fourth in the country in punt return average at 20.1-yards per return and has the sixth-highest single-season punt return yards in Carolina history with 281with five regular season games remaining. Swain was recently named a second-team midseason All-American by Sports Illustrated.

The Jet Award, named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, will culminate with the presentation at the Jet Award Gala on April 10th, 2025. Last year’s recipient, Kaden Wetjen from Iowa, epitomized the skill and impact recognized by the Jet Award.

The midseason watchlist features standout players from across the nation who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in the return game. The winner of the 2025 Jet Award will be selected by a distinguished panel of voters including media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), former winners of the Jet Award, and two of the esteemed founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

“These return specialists have the rare ability to flip the field and change the momentum of a game in a single play. The 2025 midseason watchlist highlights the best of the best — athletes who bring electricity every time they touch the ball.” Johnny Rodgers, 1972 Heisman Trophy Winner & Co-Founder of the Jet Award

For more information about the Jet Award and the upcoming gala visit Thejetaward.com.