NM State’s TK King Named to 2025 Preseason Jet Award Trophy Watch List
OMAHA, Nebraska (KVIA) -- Elusive return man and first-year Aggie TK King is among 16 student-athletes to be named to the 2025 Preseason Jet Award Watch List, the foundation announced. The Jet Award, Sponsored by KRT Muscle Cream, honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football.
The 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 2, 2026, at Steelhouse Omaha.
The preseason 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 our founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed. For more information about the Jet Award and the 2025 Gala visit Thejetaward.com.
TK King, a native of Houston, makes his debut for the Aggies in 2025 after serving as an explosive return man at Wyoming last season. In 2024, the wide receiver tallied 15 kickoff returns for 422 total yards and one touchdown on his way to earning First Team All-Mountain West Kick Returner honors.
This marks the second preseason recognition for King after being named to the 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference USA Second Team and to the 2025 Preseason Conference USA Watch List earlier this summer. Additionally, King is one of just four players on the watch list that represents a Group of Five team, joined by UConn’s Mel Brown, Marshall’s Ian Foster and Charlotte’s Henry Rutledge
Complete 16-man Jet Award Preseason Watch List
Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Mel Brown, UConn
Chris Culliver, North Carolina
Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
Ian Foster, Marshall
Kenny Johnson, Pittsburgh
TK King, NM State
Parker Kingston, BYU
Keelan Marion, Miami
Jeremiah Patterson, Arizona
Koi Perich, Minnesota
Rayshawn Pleasant, Auburn
Henry Rutledge, Charlotte
Kam Shanks, Arkansas
Zavion Thomas, LSU
Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
For complete coverage of the NM State football program, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFB).
