Youngstown State redshirt freshman Demeatric Crenshaw is one of 22 players named on Wednesday to the watch list for the 2021 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 11th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver. Past recipients include Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington), Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (Fordham) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State).
He is one of five quarterbacks on the list as the season enters the final four weeks of the regular season.
This year, Crenshaw has started six games, throwing for 569 yards on 68-of-116 attempts and rushing for 501 yards on 94 carries and has scored six touchdowns.
To be eligible for the Rice Award, a freshman can't have surpa$$ed four games played in one previous academic year – similar to the NCAA's regular redshirt rule. More players can join the watch list before a 50-member, national media panel selects the winner following the regular season.
Joining the Jerry Rice Award Watch List:
Quarterback
Demeatric Crenshaw, Youngstown State (MVFC)
Zevi Eckhaus, Bryant (NEC)
RJ Martinez, Northern Arizona (Big Sky)
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State (SWAC)
Running Back
Elijah Burris, Hampton (Big South)
Kobe Dillon, Southern (SWAC)
Darius Hale, Central Arkansas (ASUN)
Sy’Veon Wilkerson, Delaware State (MEAC)
Wide Receiver
Nate Bennett, Portland State (Big Sky)
Jacari Carter, Merrimack (NEC)
Drae McCray, Austin Peay (OVC)
Jalyn Witcher, Presbyterian (Pioneer)
Defensive Line
Thor Griffith, Harvard (Ivy)
Josiah Silver, New Hampshire (CAA)
Linebacker
James Conway, Fordham (Patriot)
Rodney Dansby, Houston Baptist (Southland)
Tyler King, Stony Brook (CAA)
Bryce Norman, Southeast Missouri (OVC)
Defensive Back
Marsean Fisher, Tarleton (WAC)
Andreas Keaton, Western Carolina (Southern)
Dominick Poole, The Citadel (Southern)
Place-kicker
Blake Gessner, Montana State (Big Sky)
