The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 16/16/17 Football’s Niblett named Jet Award finalist
11.24.2025 | Football
The sophomore wide receiver, running back and return specialist is one of five finalists for the award, which honors the nation’s top return specialist.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 16/16/17 Texas Football sophomore wide receiver, running back and return specialist Ryan Niblett was named one of five finalists for the Jet Award, the Jet Award Foundation announced Monday. The Jet Award honors the nation's top return specialist in college football.
In addition to Niblett, the other finalists for the award include Louisville's Caullin Lacy, Notre Dame's Jadarian Price, South Carolina's Vicari Swain and Iowa's Kaden Wetjen.
On the season, Niblett leads the SEC and ranks second in the FBS in punt return average (24.7 avg), and he stands third in the FBS and second in the SEC in punt return touchdowns with two on the year. His 595 combined kick return yards lead the conference and rank seventh in the FBS.
The sophomore received his first career SEC weekly honor following UT's 26-3 win over No. 6/6 Oklahoma on Oct. 11. Niblett registered the first punt return touchdown of his career with a 75-yard score that put Texas up 20-6 with just under 10 minutes to play in the game. It was one of two touchdowns scored in the game and just the third punt return touchdown by a Longhorn all-time against Oklahoma with the last coming in 2013 by Daje Johnson, and the one prior to that being in 1932 by Bohn Hilliard. Niblett followed up that performance with another big game, this time coming on the road in Texas' 16-13 overtime win vs. Kentucky on Oct. 18. Niblett returned a pair of punts for 88 yards to give Texas possession in plus territory, including a 45-yard punt return to the UK05 in the second quarter and a 43-yard punt return to the UK42 in the third quarter. Texas was able to convert both of his punt returns into six points on two field goals. Niblett had another monumental performance in UT's come-from-behind road win at Mississippi State on Oct. 25. The Houston product tallied a career-high 104 punt return yards and added a clutch, 79-yard punt return touchdown with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 38-38 and eventually force overtime where Texas clinched the victory.
The Jet Award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers. The award ceremony will take place at the Jet Award Gala on April 2, 2026, in Omaha.
Niblett and the Longhorns welcome the No. 3/3/3 Texas A&M Aggies to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium for the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown at 6:30 p.m. CT Friday, Nov. 28. The game will broadcast on ABC with Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath on the call.
