Jerry Rice Award

Jerry Rice Award
Awarded for	Most outstanding freshman player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
Country	United States
Presented by	Stats Perform
History
First award	2011
Most recent	Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson
Website	www.fcs.football

The Jerry Rice Award is awarded annually in the United States to the most outstanding freshman player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors.^[1] The trophy is named in honor of former National Football League (NFL) wide receiver Jerry Rice, who played college football for the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils.

Winners

List of Jerry Rice Award winners^[2]
Year	Player	Pos.	School	Ref.
2011	Terrance West	RB	Towson	^[3]
2012	John Robertson	QB	Villanova	^[4]
2013	Cooper Kupp	WR	Eastern Washington	^[5]
2014	Chase Edmonds	RB	Fordham	^[6]
2015	Case Cookus	QB	Northern Arizona	^[7]
2016	A. J. Hines	RB	Duquesne	^[8]
2017	Bryson Armstrong	LB	Kennesaw State	^[9]
2018	Josh Davis	RB	Weber State	^[10]
2019	Trey Lance	QB	North Dakota State	^[11]
2020	Cam Ward	QB	Incarnate Word	^[12]
2021	Shedeur Sanders	QB	Jackson State	^[13]
2022	Gevani McCoy	QB	Idaho	^[14]
2023	Eli Gillman	RB	Montana	^[15]
2024	CharMar Brown	RB	North Dakota State	^[16]
2025	Braden Atkinson	QB	Mercer	^[17]

References

^ Craig Haley. "Jerry Rice Award to honor FCS Freshman of the Year". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
^ Becton, Stan (January 2, 2026). "Jerry Rice Award: Complete history of the FCS freshman honor". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
^ "Rob Ambrose, Terrance West Earn FCS Top Awards". towsontigers.com. Towson University. January 6, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "Villanova's Robertson Captures 2012 Jerry Rice Award". prnewswire.com. December 17, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "Kupp wins Rice Award". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. December 16, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "Chase Edmonds Wins 2014 Jerry Rice Award". fordhamsports.com. Fordham University. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ Young, Lindsey (August 2, 2021). "5 Things to Know About New Vikings QB Case Cookus". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved May 20, 2026. As a true freshman in 2015, Cookus threw for 3,111 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to earning Freshman of the Year honors. He also received the Jerry Rice Award, given to the most outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision
^ "Hines Named Winner of STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award". goduquesne.com. Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit. December 5, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ Dorow, Jake (December 12, 2017). "FB: Armstrong Wins Prestigious Jerry Rice Award". ksuowls.com. Kennesaw State University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ Grua, Paul (December 11, 2018). "Josh Davis wins Jerry Rice Award; named National Freshman of the Year". weberstatesports.com. Weber State University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "NDSU Quarterback Trey Lance Wins STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award". gobison.com. North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. December 11, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "Ward voted Jerry Rice Award Winner". uiwcardinals.com. The University of the Incarnate Word. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ Driscoll, Dennis (December 13, 2021). "Stats Perform to Present 2021 Jerry Rice Award to Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders". gojsutigers.com. Jackson State University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "McCoy Named 2022 Jerry Rice Award Winner". govandals.com. University of Idaho. December 7, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "Gillman named winner of the 2023 Jerry Rice Award". gogriz.com. University of Montana. December 6, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
^ "CharMar Brown Wins Jerry Rice Award as FCS Freshman of the Year". gobison.com. North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. December 4, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
^ Anderson, Todd (December 3, 2025). "Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award". mercerbears.com. Mercer University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

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[1] Craig Haley. "Jerry Rice Award to honor FCS Freshman of the Year". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2011-08-18.

[2] Becton, Stan (January 2, 2026). "Jerry Rice Award: Complete history of the FCS freshman honor". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 19, 2026.

[3] "Rob Ambrose, Terrance West Earn FCS Top Awards". towsontigers.com. Towson University. January 6, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[4] "Villanova's Robertson Captures 2012 Jerry Rice Award". prnewswire.com. December 17, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[5] "Kupp wins Rice Award". NCAA.com. National Collegiate Athletic Association. December 16, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[6] "Chase Edmonds Wins 2014 Jerry Rice Award". fordhamsports.com. Fordham University. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[7] Young, Lindsey (August 2, 2021). "5 Things to Know About New Vikings QB Case Cookus". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved May 20, 2026. As a true freshman in 2015, Cookus threw for 3,111 yards and 37 touchdowns en route to earning Freshman of the Year honors. He also received the Jerry Rice Award, given to the most outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision

[8] "Hines Named Winner of STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award". goduquesne.com. Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit. December 5, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[9] Dorow, Jake (December 12, 2017). "FB: Armstrong Wins Prestigious Jerry Rice Award". ksuowls.com. Kennesaw State University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[10] Grua, Paul (December 11, 2018). "Josh Davis wins Jerry Rice Award; named National Freshman of the Year". weberstatesports.com. Weber State University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[11] "NDSU Quarterback Trey Lance Wins STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award". gobison.com. North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. December 11, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[12] "Ward voted Jerry Rice Award Winner". uiwcardinals.com. The University of the Incarnate Word. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[13] Driscoll, Dennis (December 13, 2021). "Stats Perform to Present 2021 Jerry Rice Award to Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders". gojsutigers.com. Jackson State University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[14] "McCoy Named 2022 Jerry Rice Award Winner". govandals.com. University of Idaho. December 7, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[15] "Gillman named winner of the 2023 Jerry Rice Award". gogriz.com. University of Montana. December 6, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

[16] "CharMar Brown Wins Jerry Rice Award as FCS Freshman of the Year". gobison.com. North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. December 4, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2025.

[17] Anderson, Todd (December 3, 2025). "Braden Atkinson Wins 2025 Jerry Rice Award". mercerbears.com. Mercer University. Retrieved May 20, 2026.

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v t e College football awards
College Football Hall of Fame
Player of the year	Heisman Trophy (winners) (1936) Maxwell Award (1937) The Sporting News Player of the Year (1942) Walter Camp Award (1967) AP Player of the Year (1998)
Positional awards	Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defensive player) Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive player) Lott Trophy (Defensive player) Outland Trophy (Interior lineman) Manning Award (Quarterback) Davey O'Brien Award (Quarterback) Doak Walker Award (Running back) Fred Biletnikoff Award (Receiver) John Mackey Award (Tight end) Joe Moore Award (Offensive line) Rimington Trophy (Center) Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive end) Butkus Award (Linebacker) Jim Thorpe Award (Defensive back) Lou Groza Award (Placekicker) Ray Guy Award (Punter) Patrick Mannelly Award (Long snapper) Jet Award (Return specialist) Peter Mortell Award (Holder)
Other national awards	Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Senior quarterback) Paul Hornung Award (Most versatile) Lombardi Award (Best performance) Jacobs Blocking Trophy (Best blocker) Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award (Best of Polynesian descent) Shaun Alexander Award (Best freshman) Deacon Jones Trophy (Best HBCU player)
All-Americans	College Football All-America Team (unanimous selections) Little All-America team
Head coaching awards	AFCA Coach of the Year Award (1935) Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (1957) Sporting News Coach of the Year (1963) Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1967) Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (1976) Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (1986) George Munger Award (1989) Home Depot Coach of the Year (1994) AP Coach of the Year (1998) Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year Award (2009) Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (2006) Woody Hayes Trophy (1977)
Assistant coaching awards	Broyles Award (Assistant Coach of the Year) AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year
Conference awards	ACC awards American awards Big 12 awards Big East awards Big Ten awards (MVP) CUSA awards MAC awards MW awards Pac-12 awards SEC awards Sun Belt awards SWC awards WAC awards
FCS awards	Walter Payton Award (offensive player) Buck Buchanan Award (defensive player) Jerry Rice Award (freshman) Eddie Robinson Award (coach) STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Year STATS FCS Coach of the Year
Other divisions / associations	Harlon Hill Trophy (Div. II) Gagliardi Trophy (Div. III) Rawlings Award (NAIA) Hec Crighton Trophy (U Sports)
Academic, inspirational, and versatility awards	Academic All-America of the Year (Student-athlete) Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award William V. Campbell Trophy (Student-athlete) Wuerffel Trophy (Humanitarian-athlete) Senior CLASS Award (Div. I FBS student-athlete) Burlsworth Trophy (Walk-on) Rudy Award (inspirational/motivational) Comeback Player of the Year Award (injury, illness, or other circumstances)
Service awards	Amos Alonzo Stagg Award Walter Camp Alumni of the Year Walter Camp Man of the Year National Football Foundation Distinguished American Award National Football Foundation Gold Medal Winners Theodore Roosevelt Award
Regional awards	Conerly Trophy (Mississippi) Jon Cornish Trophy (Canada) Dudley Award (Virginia) Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (Texas) Kent Hull Trophy (Mississippi) Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award (New England)
Awards organizations	Maxwell Football Club National Football Foundation Touchdown Club of Columbus Walter Camp Football Foundation DC Touchdown Club
Defunct awards	Champ Pickens Cup (Southern Conference champion; 1923–1926) Norris Cup (Best player in North Carolina; 1924–1930) Porter Cup (Best player at southern universities; 1918–1932) UPI Player of the Year (Best player; 1950–1991) Joseph V. Paterno Award (Best coach; 2010) Melberger Award (Div. III MVP; 1993–2011) Chic Harley Award (Best player; 1955–2018)) Archie Griffin Award (Most valuable; 1999–2018)