• Jerry Rice Award Watch List Release
UT Martin redshirt freshman running back
Sam Franklin is one of 25 players on the Watch List for the 2022 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the national freshman of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
The Rice Award, now in its 12th season, is named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. Past recipients include Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington), Miami Dolphins running back Chase Edmonds (Fordham) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State).
To be eligible for the Rice Award, a freshman must be in his first or second academic year and can’t have surpassed four games played in the previous academic year – similar to the NCAA’s regular redshirt rule. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner following the regular season.
Also this season, Stats Perform 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 FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Franklin has carried the ball 31 times for 393 yards and six touchdowns this season, meaning he is averaging an amazing 12.7 yards/carry (and 65.5 yards/game). He was named OVC Newcomer of the Week on September 25 after rushing for three touchdowns in the team's victory over Lindenwood.
Jerry Rice Award Watch List
QB - Ashur Carraha, Stonehill (Northeast)
QB - Cade Chambers, Indiana State (MVFC)
QB - Gevani McCoy, Idaho (Big Sky)
QB - Reese Poffenbarger, UAlbany (CAA)
QB - Noah Walters, North Alabama (ASUN)
RB - Ryan Butler, Princeton (Ivy)
RB - Karl Ligon, Southern (SWAC)
RB - Joshua Pitsenberger, Yale (Ivy)
RB - Sam Franklin, UT Martin (Ohio Valley)
RB - Desmond Reid, Western Carolina (Southern)
RB - Jerrell Wimbley, Stephen F. Austin (WAC)
WR - Seth Anderson, Charleston Southern (Big South)
WR - Vinson Davis, Charleston Southern (Big South)
WR - Makai Jackson, Saint Francis (Northeast)
WR - Kam Thomas, Austin Peay (ASUN)
TE - Josh Cuevas, Cal Poly (Big Sky)
DL - Kevin Spelman, Valparaiso (Pioneer)
LB - Kohner Cullimore, Southern Utah (WAC)
LB - Kaiden Jones, Nicholls (Southland)
LB - Max U’Ren, North Carolina Central (MEAC)
LB - Mason Woods, Towson (CAA)
DB - Wedner Cadet, Georgetown (Patriot)
DB - Rex Connors, UC Davis (Big Sky)
DB - Adrian Maddox, Alabama State (SWAC)
P - Patrick Rohrbach, Montana (Big Sky)