Chambana Sun

Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty has been named to the midseason watch list for the 15th Annual Jet Award, which recognizes the top return specialist in college football.

Beatty has also recently been added to the Biletnikoff watch list and was named a Sporting News Midseason All-American. This season, he is ranked fifth nationally in punt return average at 18.9 yards and is 12th in total punt return yards with 170. In the season opener against Western Illinois, Beatty broke a 102-year-old program record for punt return yardage with 133 yards, surpassing Red Grange’s mark. He scored a 69-yard touchdown in the third quarter of that game, which was Illinois’ first punt return touchdown in 12 seasons and the longest in 25 years.

Beatty is currently the only player in the country to have recorded a passing, rushing, receiving, and punt return touchdown this season. He is fourth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in receiving yards with 617 and ranks 10th nationally in all-purpose yards with 812. Beatty has made 39 receptions over seven games, contributing to Illinois’ 5-2 record against what is considered the fourth toughest schedule in the country.

After a scheduled break, Beatty and the #23-ranked Illinois team will play their next game on the road against Washington on Saturday.

The Jet Award Foundation was created to honor outstanding return specialists in college football and to provide scholarships to students majoring in the trades at Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College. Since 2017, the foundation has awarded aid to more than 500 students. The award is named after Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers and aims to inspire future football players to excel both on and off the field.

The midseason watch list for the 2025 Jet Award includes:

- Vinny Anthony II, WR, Sr, Wisconsin

- Jacory Barney, WR, So, Nebraska

- Hank Beatty, WR, Sr, Illinois

- Solomon Beebe, RB, So, UAB

- Da'Realyst Clark, WR, Jr, Kent State

- Jonathan Brady, WR, Sr, Indiana

- KC Concepcion, WR, Jr, Texas A&M

- Jacob De Jesus, WR, Sr, Cal

- Caullin Lacy, WR, Sr, Louisville

- Ryan Niblett, WR, So, Texas

- Bryce Noernberg, WR, Fr, Kansas State

- Cameron Pettaway, RB, So, Bowling Green

- Rayshawn Pleasant, DB, Jr, Auburn

- Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

- Cam Ross, WR, Sr, Virginia

- Isaiah Sategna, WR, Jr, Oklahoma

- Vicari Swain, DB, So, South Carolina

- Kaden Wetjen, WR, Sr, Iowa