10/14/2026 12:17:00 PM | Football
Washington among 18 players recognized for award honoring college football’s top return specialist
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina junior wide receiver and return specialist Robby Washington has been named to the midseason watch list for the 2026 Jet Award, which recognizes the most outstanding return specialist in college football.
Washington is one of 18 players selected to the list, which highlights the nation's top performers on punt and kickoff returns.
Through six games, Washington has totaled 284 combined return yards, returning five punts for 149 yards and a touchdown and seven kickoffs for 135 yards. He leads the Sun Belt in punt return average at 29.8 yards per return.
Washington's season has been highlighted by a 73-yard punt return touchdown against Georgia Southern on Oct. 3. The return marked Coastal's first non-blocked punt return touchdown since 2019 and its longest punt return touchdown since transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision. He also returned four punts for 76 yards against Fordham on Sept. 12.
Named in honor of 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, the Jet Award is in its 16th year. The 2026 winner will be selected by a voting panel that includes members of the Football Writers Association of America, former award winners and co-founders Rodgers and William Reed.
The award will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027.
Washington and the Chanticleers return to Brooks Stadium on Friday, Oct. 16, to host App State on ESPN2.
