FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas All-American Joe Adams was selected as the winner of the first Johnny Rodgers Award on Thursday as college football’s top return specialist.
Adams was selected from fellow finalists Tyrann Mathieu of LSU, Dustin Harris of Texas A&M and T.J. Thorpe of North Carolina to win the inaugural award.
“First of all, I want to thank my mom [Charlotte Allman] because she helped me get where I am today,” Adams said in a statement released by the university. “Also, I’d like to thank Johnny for choosing me for this award and my coaches at Arkansas for putting me in a position to succeed.
“This award would not have been possible without the other guys on the punt return unit who made key blocks during my returns.”
Adams will be presented with the award at a banquet in Omaha, Neb., on April 12.
Adams became an Internet sensation last fall with a 60-yard punt return touchdown against Tennessee in which he broke at least six tackles and seemingly eluded the Volunteers’ entire punt team.
That touchdown, part of Arkansas’ 49-7 rout of the Vols, was one of four punt return touchdowns for the senior from Little Rock’s Central Arkansas Christian. No other Football Bowl Subdivision player returned more than two punts for touchdowns last season.
Adams, who ranked second nationally with a 16.89-yard punt return average, tied former Arkansas player and coach Ken Hatfield with five career punt return touchdowns. Adams also scored on a 90-yard run against Auburn and a 56-yard pass reception against Troy last season.
Adams was a consensus All-American and the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year after tying an SEC record with his four punt return scores.
“His returns provided momentum for our team and created amazing memories for Razorback fans for years to come,” Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said in the release. “Joe is truly a special player whose great toughness and tremendous athletic ability make him a deserving recipient of this award.”
The award is named for the College Football Hall of Famer at Nebraska. Riodgers won the Heisman Trophy in 1972, finished his career with seven punt return touchdowns and nine kick return touchdowns, and helped the Cornhuskers to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1970-1971.
Sports, Pages 22 on 03/30/2012