By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
CHICAGO, Ill. – On the heels of a breakout freshman campaign, University of Tennessee at Martin football running back Sam Franklin has been named one of 25 finalists 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 wide receiver Jerry Rice, who starred at Mississippi Valley State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include NFL players Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds and Trey Lance.
A native of Little Rock, Ark., Franklin burst onto the scene in his redshirt-freshman season. He ranks as the top freshman performer in the OVC with 85 carries for 676 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and scored multiple touchdowns in two contests – including a career-high three scores against Lindenwood.
Franklin ranks amongst OVC leaders in five categories including rushing touchdowns (8, third), rushing yards (676, third), rushing yards per game (61.5, fourth), total touchdowns (8, fifth) and total offense (61.5, eighth).
To be eligible for the Jerry 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.
A national media panel will select the winner, with voting based on the regular season. The recipient will be announced on Dec. 7 and honored at the FCS National Awards banquet on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – on the eve of the national championship game.
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.
Quarterback
Cade Chambers, Indiana State, R-Fr., 6-4, 215 (MVFC)
Gevani McCoy, Idaho, R-Fr., 6-0, 175 (Big Sky)
Brady Meitz, R-Fr., 6-1, 182, Stetson (Pioneer)
Reese Poffenbarger, UAlbany, R-Fr., 6-0, 210 (CAA)
Noah Walters, North Alabama, Fr., 6-0, 190 (ASUN)
Running Back
Ryan Butler, Princeton, Fr., 5-11, 225 (Ivy)
Marquis Gillis, Delaware State, R-Fr., 6-0, 200 (MEAC)
Ismail Mahdi, Houston Baptist, Fr., 5-9, 180 (Southland)
Joshua Pitsenberger, Yale, Fr., 6-0, 205 (Ivy)
Sam Franklin, UT Martin, R-Fr., 5-10, 195 (Ohio Valley)
Desmond Reid, Western Carolina, Fr., 5-8, 170 (Southern)
Jerrell Wimbley, Stephen F. Austin, Fr., 5-11, 195 (WAC)
Wide Receiver
Seth Anderson, Charleston Southern, R-Fr., 6-0, 178 (Big South)
Makai Jackson, Saint Francis, Fr., 6-0, 190 (Northeast)
Defensive Line
Finn Claypool, Drake, R-Fr., 6-1, 240 (Pioneer)
Eric O’Neill, LIU, R-Fr., 6-3, 240 (NEC)
Linebacker
Kohner Cullimore, Southern Utah, Fr., 5-11, 225 (WAC)
Mason Woods, Towson R-Fr., 6-0, 200 (CAA)
Defensive Back
Wedner Cadet, Georgetown, Fr., 6-1, 170 (Patriot)
Rex Connors, UC Davis, R-Fr., 6-1, 203 (Big Sky)
Eli Ennis, Nicholls, Fr., 6-2, 205 (Southland)
Travis Hunter, Jackson State, Fr., 6-1, 165 (SWAC)
Jalen Jones, William & Mary, R-Fr., 6-0, 185 (CAA)
Adrian Maddox, Alabama State, Fr., 6-3, 200 (SWAC)
Punter
Patrick Rohrbach, Montana, Fr., 5-11, 177 (Big Sky)
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information