The Jet Award Comes With a Surprise

This year's trophy presentation will be missing a key component

Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers had an amazing career at Nebraska from 1970-'72 as a wide receiver, punt and kick returner, and running back.  By the time he finished his Husker career, Rodgers had amassed 1,515 punt return yards for seven touchdowns.  He added 847 yards in kickoff returns and one TD, 2,479 receiving yards and 25 TDs, and 745 rushing yards with 11 more TDs.  Not surprising, Johnny ended up winning the Heisman in 1972.

But for well over a century of college football, returners were never given any kind of formal postseason recognition.

Since 1935 there has been the Heisman Trophy which honored the nation's best football player.  Later came the Mackey Award (best tight end), the Butkus Award (best linebacker), the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver), the Outland Award (best lineman), the Rimington Award (best center), Chuck Bednarik (best defensive player), Doak Walker (best running back), Maxwell Award (best all around player), Davey O'Brien (best quarterback) and the Ray Guy Award (best punter).

But thanks to Johnny Rodgers (and others), that all ended in 2012 with the creation of The Jet Award.  The honor is aptly named after Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers.  Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think JR "Superstar" is the best college returner ever.  Period.

Thursday night April 4th, the annual Jet Award event will take place at Baxter Arena in Omaha.

Larry The Cable Guy will be the special guest for the event. The keynote speaker will be former Chadron State College and NFL running back Danny Woodhead.

This year's Jet Award winner goes to Zachariah Branch, a freshman wide receiver from the University of Southern California.

I spoke with Rodgers over the weekend.  When I asked him when Branch was arriving in Omaha, he said Branch was not going to be there.  It turns out that Branch's coach, Lincoln Riley, won't let Zachariah attend because Riley doesn't want Branch to miss any spring football practice.

Huh?  

Why wouldn't a head coach want one of his best players to be honored at an event that would bring national attention to the USC football program?

More importantly, what kind of a college football player would want to play for a coach like Riley?

Makes no sense.

How 'Bout Them Huskers

Will and I talk about March Madness (and March Sadness for Nebraska basketball fans).  We look at Husker spring football practice as well as check up on Husker baseball and softball.  This week's Jet Award also gets our attention. Follow this link to listen.