South Carolina's Vicari Swain up for major award

South Carolina defensive back/punt returner Vicari Swain is up for a big-time award. On Monday, Swain was named to the mid-season watch list for the Jet Award, college football’s annual recognition for the best returner in the sport.

One of 18 players to make the list, Swain leads the country with three punt return touchdowns. In fact, he is the only player in college football with three total return touchdowns this season, having returned three straight for scores against Virginia Tech and South Carolina State. He has averaged 20.1 yards per return this season and has at least one 30-yard return in three separate games this season.

Swain has already tied the all-time South Carolina record for single-season punt return touchdowns. He is also just one touchdown shy of Dickie Harris’ career record. Swain is tied with Ace Sanders for second place.

One of the favorites to win the Jet Award, Swain would be the first Gamecock to earn the honor if selected.

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From the South Carolina Athletics release:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (October 20, 2025) –University of South Carolina punt returner Vicari Swain has been named to the 18-man midseason watch list for the Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. Celebrating its 15th year, the Jet Award continues to honor the electrifying talents of players who excel on punt and kickoff returns.

Swain, a 6-1, 190-pound redshirt sophomore from Carrollton, Ga., leads the nation with three punt returns for touchdowns, tying the school record. He ranks fourth in the country in punt return average at 20.1-yards per return and has the sixth-highest single-season punt return yards in Carolina history with 281 with five regular season games remaining. Swain was recently named a second-team midseason All-American by Sports Illustrated.

The Jet Award, named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, will culminate with the presentation at the Jet Award Gala on April 10th, 2025. Last year’s recipient, Kaden Wetjen from Iowa, epitomized the skill and impact recognized by the Jet Award.

The midseason watchlist features standout players from across the nation who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in the return game. The winner of the 2025 Jet Award will be selected by a distinguished panel of voters including media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), former winners of the Jet Award, and two of the esteemed founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

“These return specialists have the rare ability to flip the field and change the momentum of a game in a single play. The 2025 midseason watchlist highlights the best of the best — athletes who bring electricity every time they touch the ball.” Johnny Rodgers, 1972 Heisman Trophy Winner & Co-Founder of the Jet Award.

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