Beatty Named to 15th Annual Jet Award Midseason Watch List
October 20, 2025 | Football
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty was named Monday to the midseason watch list for the 15th Annual Jet Award which recognizes college football's top return specialist
Beatty, who last week was also added to the Biletnikoff watch list and tabbed as a Sporting News Midseason All-American, is having one of the top seasons in college football.
As a returner, he ranks fifth in the nation in punt return average (18.9) and 12th in total punt return yards (170). In Illinois' Week 1 victory over Western Illinois, he broke the Red Grange's 102-year-old program record for punt return yardage with his 133 yards. His 69-yard TD in the third quarter was Illinois' first punt returned for a score in 12 seasons, and it was the longest Illini punt return touchdown in 25 years.
Beatty has also been one of the most versatile players in the country, as he is the only player in the nation with a passing, rushing, receiving, and punt return touchdown this season. He ranks fourth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in receiving yards (617) and 10th in the nation in all-purpose yards (812). He has caught 39 passes through seven games, helping Illinois to a 5-2 record against the #4 strength of schedule in the nation.
Following an off weekend in the schedule, Beatty and #23 Illinois return to action Saturday with a Big Ten road matchup at Washington (2:30 p.m. CT / BTN).
2025 JET AWARD MIDSEASON WATCH LIST
Vinny Anthony II, WR, Sr, Wisconsin (5th in KOR Avg, KOR TD)
Jacory Barney, WR, So, Nebraska (Leading the B1G in punt returns, 3rd FBS)
Hank Beatty, WR, Sr, Illinois (5th in the nation in punt return Avg, PR TD)
Solomon Beebe, RB, So, UAB (1st in nation in kick return yards, KOR TD)
Da'Realyst Clark, WR, Jr, Kent State (3rd in KOR Avg, 2 KOR TDs)
Jonathan Brady, WR, Sr, Indiana (7th in the nation in punt return avg, PR TD)
KC Concepcion, WR, Jr, Texas A&M (Top 10 punt return avg, PR TD)
Jacob De Jesus, WR, Sr, Cal (11th in combined kick return yards)
Caullin Lacy, WR, Sr, Louisville (2nd in combined kick return yards, 2 PR TDs)
Ryan Niblett, WR, So, Texas (3rd in Punt Return avg, PR TD)
Bryce Noernberg, WR, Fr, Kansas State (8th in KOR yards, KOR TD)
Cameron Pettaway, RB, So, Bowling Green (2nd in KOR Avg & 6th in Yards)
Rayshawn Pleasant, DB, Jr, Auburn (4th in kickoff return avg, KOR TD)
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame (1st in Kickoff Return Avg, 2 KOR TDs)
Cam Ross, WR, Sr, Virginia (Top 15 combine kick return yards, KOR TD)
Isaiah Sategna, WR, Jr, Oklahoma (7th in nation in punt return yards)
Vicari Swain, DB, So, South Carolina (Three punt return Tds)
Kaden Wetjen, WR, Sr, Iowa (Leads in combined kick return yards & PR Avg)
About the Jet Award Foundation:
The Jet Award Foundation raises money to provide scholarships to students majoring in the trades at Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College. Since 2017 more than 500 students have been awarded aid.
The Jet Award Foundation was established to recognize outstanding return specialists in college football. Named after Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, the award honors athletes who demonstrate exceptional skill and impact in the return game and the achievements of these athletes that inspire the next generation of football players to strive for excellence in all aspects of the game.
