Tulane football emerging star lands on Jet Award watch list

The Tulane Green Wave looks to be strong in all three phases, and their star return specialist leads the nation as a game changer.

Rayshawn Pleasant was forced into returning kickoff duties due to injury and was a sensation on special teams. His playing ability was rewarded when he was named a midseason nominee for the Annual Jet Award.

Named after Heisman Trophy winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, the award honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football on both punt and kickoff returns. Notable former receivers include Christian McCaffrey, Tyler Lockett, Zachariah Branch and Marcus Jones.

Pleasant is currently the top return specialist in the country with two kickoff return touchdowns and an average of 44.7 yards per return. What’s most impressive is the fact that he didn’t return the kicks until Week 4. His second attempt in a college football game was a 94-yard touchdown against the Ragin’ Cajuns.

“It was huge,” coach Jon Sumrall remarked after the game about Pleasant’s touchdown return. “That made it a two-point game. That’s momentum. They talk about wanting to score points on the first drive. Well, there you have it at the first kickoff, how about this? Rayshawn worked so hard. He did it.” He’s a great worker. He has a really bright future.

Under the tutelage of an all-time great special teams coach, Greg McMahon, Pleasant’s skills were immediately apparent. He didn’t even know that his second touchdown wasn’t directly blocked by special forces, something Sumrall was unhappy about after the win over the Blazers.

When told that the kicker was the only player who had a chance to tackle him, he replied with deserved confidence: “I take that personally. I can’t let the kicker attack me.”

He demonstrated his deadly speed in his role as a defensive back with Tulane’s first pick-six of the season, a monumental 100-yard interception return. Honestly, his vision and spatial awareness are reminiscent of Tyjae Spears.

Pleasant has a strong ability to score in the crease, and when he’s gone, it’s not nearly as good. His smoothness and high speed are quickly becoming elite attributes. As I watched his second kickoff return touchdown from the UAB sideline, my only thought was, “Devin Hester, you’re ridiculous.”

Rayshawn Pleasant was a pleasant surprise and his return efforts make him a strong candidate for the Jet Award.