PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers wide receiver and return specialist
Janarion Grant was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list it was announced Monday. The fifth-year senior returns as the nation's active career leader in combined punt and kick return yardage with 3,086.
The 81st annual Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.
Grant, who was in the midst of a record-breaking season in 2016, suffered an injury to his right leg in the second quarter against the Hawkeyes. In the first four games, he accounted for six total touchdowns, including a passing score. A three-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, Grant scored both a kick and punt return touchdown in 2016.
In 42 consecutive game appearances, Grant has amassed 270 rushing yards and 895 receiving. He is fourth all-time in the Rutgers record books with 4,251 all-purpose yards and first with 2,606 kickoff return yards. Grant is tied for first in NCAA FBS history with eight career combined kick return touchdowns (five kickoff, three punt).
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