MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State University freshman defensive back
Adrian Maddox was named a finalist the 2022 FCS Jerry Rice Award.
The Conyers, Ga., (Heritage HS) native has 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions in his freshman campaign. Maddox became one the youngest player to intercept a pass at age 17 with his pick in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge to open the 2022 season.
Twenty-five players were named a finalist for 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).
Jerry Rice Finalist List:
- QB Cade Chambers | Indiana State
- QB Gevani McCoy | Idaho
- QB Brady Meitz | Stetson
- QB Reese Poffenbarger | Albany
- QB Noah Walters | North Alabama
- RB Ryan Butler | Princeton
- RB Marquis Gillis | Delaware State
- RB Ismail Mahdi | Houston Baptist
- RB Joshua Pitsenberger | Yale
- RB Sam Franklin | UT Martin
- RB Desmond Reid | Western Carolina
- RB Jerrell Wimbley | Stephen. F Austin
- WR Seth Anderson | Charleston Southern
- WR Makai Jackson | Saint Francis (PA)
- WR/DB Travis Hunter | Jackson State
- DL Finn Claypool | Drake
- DL Eric O'Neill | LIU
- LB Kohner Cullimore | Southern Utah
- LB Mason Woods | Towson
- DB Wedner Cadet | Georgetown
- DB Rex Connors | UC Davis
- DB Jalen Jones | William & Mary
- DB Adrian Maddox | Alabama State
- P Patrick Rohrbach | Montana
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.
