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An American football player in a black and yellow uniform runs with the ball during a game, pursued by opponents in white uniforms.An American football player in a black and yellow uniform runs with the ball during a game, pursued by opponents in white uniforms.
Football

Evan James Named To Jet Award Midseason List

Evan James has been named to the Jet Award Midseason Watch List, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa second-year receiver and return specialist Evan James has been named to the Jet Award Midseason Watch List, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The announcement was made Wednesday by the Jet Award Foundation.

James ranks 15th nationally in punt return yardage, averaging 14.7 yards on 12 returns. He returned three punts for a career-high 108 yards, including a career-long 77-yard return for his first Hawkeye touchdown in a 40-0 shutout against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5. James is one of 36 players nationally to return at least one punt for a score in 2026, and his 77-yard return is tied for the seventh-longest nationally this season.

Former Hawkeye Kaden Wetjen was the recipient of the previous two Jet Awards, earning the distinction in 2024 and 2025. 

The award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers. The winner of the 2026 Jet Award will be selected by a panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America, former recipients of the Jet Award, and two of our founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

No. 17 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) return to action at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1) on Saturday, Oct. 24.