Tennessee State redshirt freshman running back
Telvin Hooks is one of 16 players named to the initial Jerry Rice Award Watch List by the Sports Network on Wednesday.
The award, which was established in 2011, is given to the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The list includes six quarterbacks, three running backs, one wide receiver, one all-purpose player, four linebackers and one strong safety.
Hooks has been a consistent threat in the Tigers' 5-0 start and No. 24 nationally-ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll this season. He has rushed for at least 66 yards in four of their first five games, highlighted by 108 yards against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He has totaled 374 yards (on 6.4 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in the season-opening stretch.
The Rice Award, named for the legendary wide receiver, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, 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 list will grow to 20 finalists by then.
In addition to the Rice Award, The Sports Network presents the Walter Payton, Buck Buchanan and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Buchanan Award goes to the outstanding defensive player in the FCS and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year. Currently three OVC players are on the Payton Watch List (Casey Brockman, Matt Denham and Jimmy Garoppolo) with another on the Buchanan List (Blake Peiffer).
All four major awards will be announced at the FCS national banquet on Dec. 17 in Philadelphia.
2012 Jerry Rice Award Watch List
Vernon Adams (QB), Eastern Washington
Zak Browning (LB), Southern Utah
Reese Hannon (QB), Furman
Ryan Heaston (RB), Missouri State
Telvin Hooks (RB), Tennessee State
Jacob Huesman (QB), Chattanooga
Miles Killebrew (S), Southern Utah
Sawyer Kollmorgen (QB), Northern Iowa
T.J. Lally (LB), South Dakota State
Trent McKinney (QB), Montana
Sean Price (WR), Appalachian State
J.J. Raffelson (LB), Western Illinois
Brendon Riddick (RB), Norfolk State
John Robertson (QB), Villanova
Luke Rhodes (LB), William & Mary
Andre Stubbs (All-Purpose), Youngstown State