JOHN BACHUS III NAMED FINALIST FOR STATS FCS JERRY RICE AWARD AS NATION’S TOP FRESHMAN
11/25/2019 5:52:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO, Ill. – University of Tennessee at Martin quarterback John Bachus III has been named a finalist for the prestigious Jerry Rice Award which goes to the nation's top FCS freshman performer as announced by STATS this afternoon.
The Rice Award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver and presented since 2011 to the Division I subdivision's freshman player of the year. Bachus is one of 20 players named as finalists for the award.
A native of Pulaski, Tenn., Bachus helped key one of the nation's biggest turnarounds as the Skyhawks posted a five-win improvement over from last season – tied with fellow programs Southern Illinois and Tennessee Tech for second nationally.
Starting in all 12 games this season, Bachus completed 56.6 percent of his passes, going 188-of-332 for 2,549 yards and 18 touchdowns. A four-time OVC Newcomer of the Week and two-time OVC Offensive Player of the Week, he ranks first among freshmen in passing yards (2,549) while climbing into the top-10 in several program single-season categories including total offense (2,642, fifth), passing yards (sixth) and touchdown passes (18, eighth).
Still a young award, the Rice is distinguished, with three of the first four recipients to complete their college careers going on to the NFL: former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season.
Also in the postseason, STATS 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 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The Rice Award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver and presented since 2011 to the Division I subdivision's freshman player of the year. Bachus is one of 20 players named as finalists for the award.
A native of Pulaski, Tenn., Bachus helped key one of the nation's biggest turnarounds as the Skyhawks posted a five-win improvement over from last season – tied with fellow programs Southern Illinois and Tennessee Tech for second nationally.
Starting in all 12 games this season, Bachus completed 56.6 percent of his passes, going 188-of-332 for 2,549 yards and 18 touchdowns. A four-time OVC Newcomer of the Week and two-time OVC Offensive Player of the Week, he ranks first among freshmen in passing yards (2,549) while climbing into the top-10 in several program single-season categories including total offense (2,642, fifth), passing yards (sixth) and touchdown passes (18, eighth).
Still a young award, the Rice is distinguished, with three of the first four recipients to complete their college careers going on to the NFL: former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season.
Also in the postseason, STATS 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 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Players Mentioned
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