The Jerry Rice Award is given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in FCS football. Montana running back Eli Gillman received the 2022 award.
Here's everything you need to know about the annual honor, presented by .
MORE: Walter Payton Award history | Buck Buchanan Award history
FCS Jerry Rice Award: What is it and who is it named after?
The Jerry Rice Award debuted in 2011 to honor the most outstanding freshman player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
A national panel of more than 40 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers, and other dignitaries vote on the award's winner, based on players' regular-season performances. Voting is conducted before the start of the FCS playoffs.
The Jerry Rice Award is one of five national awards announced by STATS FCS:
- Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year)
- Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year)
- Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman of the year)
- Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year)
- Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year
The freshman player of the year award's namesake, Jerry Rice, was an NFL legend with the San Francisco 49ers, also playing for three other teams. Rice earned 13 NFL Pro Bowl trips, 10 first-team All-Pros, three Super Bowls, and a Super Bowl MVP amongst other accolades. The 1985 first-round pick began his journey at FCS program Mississippi Valley State from 1981-1984.
Rice, an All-American wide receiver, measured in at 6’2’’ and 200 pounds. He earned All-American accolades twice, setting records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Rice is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fordham running back Chase Edmonds won the 2014 Jerry Rice Award
FCS Jerry Rice Award: When is the winner announced?
The Jerry Rice Award winner is revealed annually after the conclusion of the FCS regular season. The 2023 recipient was announced Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
All five STATS FCS national honors are celebrated at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation, though the Jerry Rice, Eddie Robinson, and Doris Robinson winners are all announced ahead of time. The Payton and Buchanan award winners are revealed for the first time as part of the ceremony.
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The first Jerry Rice Award watch list is released during the season by STATS FCS. The list has updates periodically, culminating in the announcement of finalists.
FCS Jerry Rice Award: Complete history of past recipients
Montana running back Eli Gillman was the 13th recipient of the Jerry Rice Award. Gillman rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns on 152 carries during the 2023 regular season, an average of 5.6 yards per carry. Gillman also had 103 yards receiving and finished with three 100-yard rushing games.
Idaho quarterback Gevani McCoy was the 12th recipient of the Jerry Rice Award. McCoy completed 203-297 passes, setting the Idaho single-season completion percentage record at 68.4 percent.He passed for 2,791 yards, 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, even catching a touchdown pass during the season. He also led Idaho to its first winning season since 2016 and first FCS playoff appearance since 1995.
Quarterbacks have accounted for a position-best six winners since the award debuted in 2011, with running backs having five winners. One wide receiver and one linebacker have also been honored. No school has multiple winners.
Other notable past honorees include eventual NFL stars Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington, 2013), Chase Edmonds (Fordham, 2014) and Trey Lance (2019). See the full list below.
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FCS Jerry Rice Award winners (2011-2023):
| YEAR | WINNER, SCHOOL | POSITION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Eli Gillman, Montana | Running back | Top plays |
| 2022 | Gevani McCoy, Idaho | Quarterback | Top plays |
| 2021 | Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State | Quarterback | |
| 2020 | Cameron Ward, UIW | Quarterback | |
| 2019 | Trey Lance, North Dakota State | Quarterback | Career in review |
| 2018 | Josh Davis, Weber State | Running Back | |
| 2017 | Bryson Armstrong, Kennesaw State | Linebacker | |
| 2016 | A.J. Hines, Duquesne | Running Back | |
| 2015 | Case Cookus, Northern Arizona | Quarterback | |
| 2014 | Chase Edmonds, Fordham | Running Back | |
| 2013 | Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington | Wide Receiver | Career in review |
| 2012 | John Robertson, Villanova | Quarterback | |
| 2011 | Terrance West, Towson | Running Back |
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