CHICAGO – Oct. 11, 2018 –– Make room for the new guys.
So many freshmen have stepped into FCS lineups and quickly made a difference with their team’s success in the college football season. The best of the best in the subdivision will claim the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award, named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver and presented in the postseason to the FCS freshman player of the year since 2011.
On Thursday, 15 players were nominated to the watch list for the 2018 Rice Award.
The nominees, listed alphabetically by last name:
Weber State redshirt freshman running back Josh Davis leads the Big Sky in rushing yards per game/ by Weber State athletics
Christian Benford, Villanova, DB, Fr., 6-0, 190, Randallstown, Maryland
Statistics: 32 tackles (26 solo), 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 1 PBU (5 games)
Jack Cook, Dayton, QB, R-Fr., 6-0, 195, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Statistics: 95 of 163, 1,290 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs; 274 rushing yards, 3 TDs (6 games)
Jon Copeland, UIW, QB, Fr., 6-0, 201, Argyle, Texas
Statistics: 86 of 172, 1,329 yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs; 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD (5 games)
Josh Davis, Weber State, RB/PR, R-Fr., 5-9, 185, Sandy, Utah
Statistics: 92 carries, 551 yards, 4 TDs; 177 all-purpose yards per game (4 games)
Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech, QB, Fr., 6-0, 195, Clayton, Georgia
Statistics: 86 of 166, 1,100 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs; 223 rushing yards (6 games)
Alijah Jackson, Robert Morris, RB, R-Fr., 5-9, 165, Paramus, New Jersey
Statistics: 79 carries, 373 yards, 4 TDs, 93 all-purpose yards per game (5 games)
Brian Jenkins Jr., Alabama A&M, WR, Fr., 5-8, 160, Daytona Beach, Florida
Statistics: 28 receptions, 332 yards, 1 TD; 106.5 all-purpose yards per game (6 games)
Ulonzo Gilliam, UC Davis, RB, R-Fr., 5-9, 185, Merced, California
Statistics: 70 carries, 316 yards, 6 TDs; 21 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TDs (5 games)
Malik Hamm, Lafayette, DE, Fr., 6-3, 240, Baltimore
Statistics: 22 tackles (16 solo), 7 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF (5 games)
Robby Hauck, Montana, S, R-Fr., 5-10, 179, Missoula, Montana
Statistics: 59 tackles (22 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PBU (6 games)
Dev Holmes, Albany, WR, Fr., 5-8, 153, Troy, New York
Statistics: 28 receptions, 587 yards, 4 TDs (5 games)
Quay Holmes, ETSU, RB, R-Fr., 6-1, 216, Powder Springs, Georgia
Statistics: 107 carries, 467 yards, 8 TDs; 15 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD (6 games)
Chris Kolarevic, Northern Iowa, LB, R-Fr., 6-0, 223, Traverse City, Michigan
Statistics: 54 tackles (17 solo), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU (5 games)
Robert Riddle, Mercer, QB, R-Fr., 6-2, 202, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
Statistics: 66 of 101, 851 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs; 3 rushing TDs (4 games)
Caleb Snead, Campbell, WR, R-Fr., 6-3, 200, Lynchburg, Virginia
Statistics: 17 receptions, 341 yards, 4 TDs (6 games)
Still a young award, the Rice is distinguished, with three of the first four recipients to complete their college careers playing in the NFL: former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season.
Also this season, STATS will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
