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James-Hamilton Named to Jet Award Midseason Watchlist
10/14/2026 10:35:00 AM | Football
Ohio redshirt sophomore safety recognized among nation’s top return specialists
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OMAHA, Neb.– Ohio football's redshirt sophomore safety Darren James-Hamilton has been named to the midseason watchlist for the 16th annual Jet Award, which recognizes the top return specialist in college football (Oct. 14).Â
James-Hamilton (Charlotte, N.C.) is one of 18 players nationwide named to the watchlist, joining an elite group of return specialists who have made an impact on special teams during the 2026 season.
Through the first half of the season, James-Hamilton has recorded 372 kickoff return yards and one touchdown, ranking second nationally in kickoff return yards. His production has helped establish him among the nation's top performers in the return game. In the victory over Jacksonville State, James-Hamilton returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, his first of his career. In the following game, James-Hamilton recorded a career-high 150 return yards at South Alabama.Â
Named in honor of Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, the Jet Award celebrates the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The award winner will be selected by a panel that includes media members from the Football Writers Association of America, former Jet Award recipients, and award co-founders Rodgers and William Reed.
The 2026 Jet Award will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027.
For more information about the Jet Award, visit TheJetAward.com.
About the Jet Award Foundation
The Jet Award Foundation recognizes outstanding return specialists in college football while supporting educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in the trades. Since 2017, the foundation has provided financial assistance to more than 500 students attending Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College.
#OUohyeah
Â
OMAHA, Neb.– Ohio football's redshirt sophomore safety Darren James-Hamilton has been named to the midseason watchlist for the 16th annual Jet Award, which recognizes the top return specialist in college football (Oct. 14).Â
James-Hamilton (Charlotte, N.C.) is one of 18 players nationwide named to the watchlist, joining an elite group of return specialists who have made an impact on special teams during the 2026 season.
Through the first half of the season, James-Hamilton has recorded 372 kickoff return yards and one touchdown, ranking second nationally in kickoff return yards. His production has helped establish him among the nation's top performers in the return game. In the victory over Jacksonville State, James-Hamilton returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, his first of his career. In the following game, James-Hamilton recorded a career-high 150 return yards at South Alabama.Â
Named in honor of Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, the Jet Award celebrates the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The award winner will be selected by a panel that includes media members from the Football Writers Association of America, former Jet Award recipients, and award co-founders Rodgers and William Reed.
The 2026 Jet Award will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 8, 2027.
For more information about the Jet Award, visit TheJetAward.com.
About the Jet Award Foundation
The Jet Award Foundation recognizes outstanding return specialists in college football while supporting educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in the trades. Since 2017, the foundation has provided financial assistance to more than 500 students attending Metro Community College and Iowa Western Community College.
#OUohyeah
Â
Players Mentioned
SAF
/ FootballMonday, October 12
Sunday, October 11
Thursday, October 08
Monday, October 05
