Rice Award candidates announced

[BDKJMU]

Rice Award candidates are the future today

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - They arrive on campus holding the future of a college football program, but some freshmen aren't content to wait long for their turn.

Given the opportunity to be influential, they can show the future is now.

The top first-year player in the FCS, whether a true freshman or a redshirt freshman, will win the Jerry Rice Award, now in its third season.

On Wednesday, The Sports Network announced its initial 20-player watch list for the 2013 Rice Award. Named for the legendary wide receiver, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, the Rice Award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.

The initial position breakdown is five quarterbacks, five linebackers, three running backs, two wide receivers, two defensive ends, one cornerback, one safety and one punter. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has the most nominees with three.

Towson running back Terrance West won the inaugural Rice Award in the 2011 season and Villanova quarterback John Robertson received the honor last season.

The Rice Award Watch List can undergo revision during the season. The winner will be announced at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation Dec. 16 in Philadelphia.

The initial 20 players on the Jerry Rice Award Watch List:

Mouf Adebo, DE, Sam Houston State, 6-foot-1, 225

Five games: 15 TT (10 solo), 5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 PBU

Kourtney Berry, LB, Alabama State, 6-0, 210

Six games: 53 TT (26 solo), 8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FR

Trent Brittain, QB, Incarnate Word, 6-2, 195

Six games: 100-of-183, 1,170 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT, 117.7 passing efficiency; 52 carries, 205 yards, 1 TD

Devin Borders, WR, Eastern Kentucky, 6-5, 203

Six games: 21 receptions, 277 yards, 4 TD; 3 blocked kicks

Dillon Buechel, QB, Duquesne, 6-3, 176

Four games: 81-of-129, 1,159 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT, 147.4 passing efficiency

Marcus Cox, RB, Appalachian State, 5-10, 185

Five games: 73 carries, 398 yards, 5 TD; 22 receptions, 415 yards, 5 TD

Lawrence Forbes, P, Morgan State, 6-4, 180

Six games: 24 punts, 45.8-yard average, 78 long, 8 inside 20, 6 50 yards-plus

Matt Johnson, QB, Charlotte, 6-3, 230

Six games: 132-of-206, 1,582 yards, 16 TD, 7 INT, 147.4 passing efficiency; 52 carries, 191 yards, 1 TD

Javancy Jones, DE, Jackson State, 6-2, 230

Six games: 29 TT (14 solo), 10.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF, 1 TD

Michael Jones, CB, North Carolina Central, 5-9, 175

Five games: 21 TT (14 solo), 1 TFL, 4 INT, 6 PBU

Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington, 6-2, 195

Five games: 20 receptions, 418 yards, 7 TD

John Law, LB, Appalachian State, 6-0, 225

Five games: 57 TT (22 solo), 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 FF

Christophe Mulumba, LB, Maine, 6-1, 230

Six games: 47 TT (13 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR

Trenton Norvell, QB, Western Illinois, 6-5, 220

Six games: 84-of-165, 9 TD, 4 INT, 110.2 passing efficiency; 35 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD

Donald Payne, S, Stetson, 6-0, 191

Five games: 53 TT (35 solo), 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT, 7 PBU, 1 QBH, 2 FR, 2 FF, 2 TD

Peter Pujals, QB, Holy Cross, 6-2, 185

Four games: 71-of-108, 764 yards, 8 TD, 1 INT; 50 carries, 167 yards, 2 TD

Martin Ruiz, RB, Youngstown State, 5-11, 195

Six games: 88 carries, 491 yards, 10 TD; 9 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD; 109.7 all-purpose yards per game

Marquis Smith, LB, Savannah State, 6-3, 235

Six games: 60 TT (39 solo), 3.5 TFL

Gage Steele, LB, James Madison, 6-1, 230

Six games: 62 TT (23 solo), 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 FF

Payton Usher, RB, Mercer, 5-7, 162

Five games: 77 carries, 483 yards, 1 TD; 7 receptions, 74 yards; 129 all- purpose yards per game
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[BDKJMU]

A player from the CAA has won the award in the 1st 2 seasons, Terrance West in 2011 and John Robertson, Nova QB, last season.

CAA has 2 candidates this season, but both are defensive players:

Christophe Mulumba, LB, Maine, 6-1, 230

Six games: 47 TT (13 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR

Gage Steele, LB, James Madison, 6-1, 230

Six games: 62 TT (23 solo), 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 FF

[BDKJMU]

Gage Steele from JMU should win it on name alone...

But seriously, they probably don't give it to a defensive player. Of the 20 players named, 10 are offensive. They probably don't give it to a player from a non fully scholly conference or a player from a transitioning program (either from Div II to I-AA or I-AA to I-A). So that leaves about 6 guys...

[Aho Old Guy]

Marcus Cox - 6 games
92 carries - 496 yards
29 receptions - 510 yards
12 TDs (7 rushing - 5 receiving)

Appalachian is classified as *FBS Transition*

[BDKJMU]

Marcus Cox - 6 games
92 carries - 496 yards
29 receptions - 510 yards
12 TDs (7 rushing - 5 receiving)

Appalachian is classified as *FBS Transition*

Don't think they give it to someone from a transitioning team with a losing record....

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Every 3rd catch for Kupp is a TD. Nearly 21 yards a catch.

EWU is QB & WR U.

[dal4018]

Michael Jones of North Carolina Central is on the list where was he last night during the slaughter vs South Carolina St 44-3????