The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
Kam Shanks Named Finalist for the Jet Award
11/26/2024 9:54:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Redshirt freshman Kam Shanks has been named a finalist for the Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football.
Now in its 14th year, the Jet Award continues to celebrate the electrifying talents of players who excel on punt and kickoff returns. The award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hale of Famer Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers and will culminate with the presentation at the Jet Award Gala on April 10th, 2025. Former recipients include Tavon Austin, Christian McCaffrey, Tyler Lockett, Zachariah Branch and Marcus Jones.
Shanks has exceled in punt return this season and leads the nation in punt return yards (313), punt return average (20.9) and is the only player in the nation with multiple punt return touchdowns (2). He enters the Charlotte game needing 38 punt return yards to set the new UAB single season school record.
Shanks is also leading the team in receptions (58), receiving yards (632) and all-purpose yards (1,015).
The three finalists for the 2024 Jet Award were 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 founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.
The voting group ranked the top 10 semifinalists, and these were the top three vote getters by average. The winner will be announced following the national title game on January 21, 2025.
2024 Jet Award Finalists list:
Keelan Marion, JR, WR, BYU: Top 10 in the nation in kickoff return avg (26.2 YPR), One of three FBS players this season with 2 kickoff return TDs.
Kam Shanks, FR, WR, UAB: Leads nation in punt return avg (20.9 YPR) and yards. The only FBS player this season with 2 punt return TDs. Kam is also the Blazers leading receiver in catches & yards.
Kaden Wetjen, SR, WR, Iowa: Leads nation in combined kick return yards with 807 (next most is 600 yards), 7th in FBS in kickoff return yards, 3rd in FBS in punt return yards, 1 punt return TD.
Now in its 14th year, the Jet Award continues to celebrate the electrifying talents of players who excel on punt and kickoff returns. The award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hale of Famer Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers and will culminate with the presentation at the Jet Award Gala on April 10th, 2025. Former recipients include Tavon Austin, Christian McCaffrey, Tyler Lockett, Zachariah Branch and Marcus Jones.
Shanks has exceled in punt return this season and leads the nation in punt return yards (313), punt return average (20.9) and is the only player in the nation with multiple punt return touchdowns (2). He enters the Charlotte game needing 38 punt return yards to set the new UAB single season school record.
Shanks is also leading the team in receptions (58), receiving yards (632) and all-purpose yards (1,015).
The three finalists for the 2024 Jet Award were 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 founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.
The voting group ranked the top 10 semifinalists, and these were the top three vote getters by average. The winner will be announced following the national title game on January 21, 2025.
2024 Jet Award Finalists list:
Keelan Marion, JR, WR, BYU: Top 10 in the nation in kickoff return avg (26.2 YPR), One of three FBS players this season with 2 kickoff return TDs.
Kam Shanks, FR, WR, UAB: Leads nation in punt return avg (20.9 YPR) and yards. The only FBS player this season with 2 punt return TDs. Kam is also the Blazers leading receiver in catches & yards.
Kaden Wetjen, SR, WR, Iowa: Leads nation in combined kick return yards with 807 (next most is 600 yards), 7th in FBS in kickoff return yards, 3rd in FBS in punt return yards, 1 punt return TD.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballUAB Softball | The Quick Cut: Memphis Series
Thursday, April 09
UAB vs ECU Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
UAB vs North Texas Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 01
UAB MBB vs Tulane Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, February 15
