Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion is projected to win the 2025 Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award as the Best Return Specialist in college football by Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus. Marion was a first-team All-American as a kick return specialist for BYU in 2024.
The Chadwick prediction for Marion was part of the "2025 College Football Award Predictions: Who takes home the Heisman Trophy?" by PFF. Marion has 38 kickoff returns for 881 yards and two touchdowns and 10 punt returns for 124 yards during his collegiate career.
Marion had a breakout season with 18 kickoff returns for 472 yards and two TDS for BYU in 2024. Miami will provide Marion with a bigger role as a WR In 2025. Marion has 76 receptions for 1,125 yards and seven TDs as a collegian.
The best season for Marion as a WR was as a freshman at Connecticut in 2021 with 28 receptions for 474 yards and five TDs. Marion is projected to be one of the top four WRs for Miami during the 2025 season. Miami had to replace its top six receivers from the 2025 roster.
"Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award (Best Return Specialist)Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus.
Max: Keelan Marion, Miami (FL)
Marion transferred to Miami from BYU this offseason and was PFF's All-American return specialist last season. He returned two kickoffs for scores in 2024, the most of any Power Four player."
The Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award for the Best Return Specialist in college football is named for the 1972 Heisman Trophy Winner and one of the newest awards nationally. The Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award was first awarded following the 2012 season.
Rodgers still holds the Nebraska record for career TDs with 25, held the program standard for All-purpose yards with 5,586 until it was broken by Ameer Abdullah from 2011-2014. Rodgers was a two-time All-American who had an NFL career that was limited by injuries.