Pair of U-M Special Teams Standouts Honored by Big Ten
12/17/2020 12:10:00 PM | Football
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Two student-athletes from the University of Michigan football team were recognized by the Big Ten on special teams, the conference announced Thursday (Dec. 17). Sophomore wide receiver/kick returner Giles Jackson is now two-for-two on All-Big Ten honors as a Wolverine, and senior punter Brad Robbins also earned his second conference accolade.
Jackson picked up second-team honors from the media and third-team honors from the coaches as a return specialist. Jackson returned 13 kicks this season, averaging 27.2 yards per return which ranks 11th nationally among those with 10-plus returns. He has helped Michigan lead the Big Ten in kick-return average (24.8 yards per return) this season as well.
A highlight for Jackson came at Rutgers, when he took the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards to the end zone. It was his second career kick return touchdown (97 yards at Maryland, 2019) which ties him atop the list for most in Michigan history. Jackson was an honorable mention on both ballots in 2019.
Robbins has been a force for the Michigan punting unit and was awarded honorable mention recognition as a result (also honorable mention, coaches in 2017). He has punted 23 times in five contests, totaling 1,041 total yards with a long of 66. His average (45.3 yards per punt) is 10th-best nationally.
Robbins has placed eight punts inside the 20-yard line (34.7 percent), with four inside the 10 (17.4 percent). At least one punt has been placed inside the 25-yard line in all five games Robbins has played this season, including two games with a punt inside the five.
Furthermore, Robbins has forced 10 fair catches and has allowed only 12 return yards on 23 total punts in 2020. He and his coverage unit have Michigan as the Big Ten's No. 4 net-punting unit (41.5 yards per punt), allowing an average of 1.0 yard per return with two touchbacks.
Following is a breakdown of Michigan's players on the All-Big Ten special teams ballots:
All-Big Ten Conference (Coaches)
Special Teams
Third Team: Giles Jackson
Honorable Mention: Brad Robbins
All-Big Ten Conference (Media)
Special Teams
Second Team: Giles Jackson
Honorable Mention: Brad Robbins
• Five Wolverines Collect All-Big Ten Recognition on Defense
• U-M Duo Tabbed All-Big Ten Honorable Mention on Offense
