FARMINGTON, Utah (Oct. 27, 2021) – Twenty-two players were named on Wednesday to the watch list for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the national freshman of the year in the FCS.
The Big Sky had three student-athletes named to the list, with NAU’s RJ Martinez, Portland State’s Nate Bennett and Montana State’s Blake Glessner making the cut.
The Rice Award, now in its 11th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver. Past recipients include Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington), Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (Fordham) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State).
To be eligible for the Rice Award, a freshman can’t have surpassed four games played in one previous academic year – similar to the NCAA’s regular redshirt rule. More players can join the watch list before a 50-member, national media panel selects the winner following the regular season.
2021 Jerry Rice Award Watchlist
Quarterbacks
Demeatric Crenshaw, Youngstown State (MVFC)
Zevi Eckhaus, Bryant (NEC)
RJ Martinez, Northern Arizona (Big Sky)
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State (SWAC)
Running Backs
Elijah Burris, Hampton (Big South)
Kobe Dillon, Southern (SWAC)
Darius Hale, Central Arkansas (ASUN)
Sy’Veon Wilkerson, Delaware State (MEAC)
Wide Receivers
Nate Bennett, Portland State (Big Sky)
Jacari Carter, Merrimack (NEC)
Drae McCray, Austin Peay (OVC)
Jalyn Witcher, Presbyterian (Pioneer)
Defensive Linemen
Thor Griffith, Harvard (Ivy)
Josiah Silver, New Hampshire (CAA)
Linebackers
James Conway, Fordham (Patriot)
Rodney Dansby, Houston Baptist (Southland)
Tyler King, Stony Brook (CAA)
Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri (OVC)
Defensive Backs
Marsean Fisher, Tarleton (WAC)
Andreas Keaton, Western Carolina (Southern)
Dominick Poole, The Citadel (Southern)
Place-kickers
Blake Glessner, Montana State (Big Sky)
