The Jerry Rice Award is an annual honor recognizing the most outstanding freshman player in FCS football. It is presented by Stats Perform FCS and has been awarded since 2011. The latest recipient, Braden Atkinson, a quarterback from Mercer, received the 2025 award for his impressive performance this season.
About the Jerry Rice Award
The Jerry Rice Award is established to spotlight excellence among freshman players in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Each year, a national panel comprising over 40 sports information and media professionals selects the winner. The voting process occurs before the onset of the FCS playoffs.
A Brief History
The award was named after Jerry Rice, a legendary NFL player primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Rice’s accolades include:
- 13 Pro Bowl selections
- 10 First-team All-Pro honors
- 3 Super Bowl titles and a Super Bowl MVP award
Rice began his football journey at Mississippi Valley State, where he set college records in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He is honored in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
2025 Jerry Rice Award Winner
Braden Atkinson achieved the Jerry Rice Award in 2025 after completing 68.1% of his passes for 3,448 yards, along with 34 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. His outstanding performance helped Mercer maintain a perfect 9-0 record against FCS opponents following his appointment as starting quarterback in Week 3.
Previous Winners
Atkinson is the 15th recipient of the award. Here’s a list of past winners from 2011 to 2025:
| Year | Winner | School | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Braden Atkinson | Mercer | Quarterback |
| 2024 | CharMar Brown | North Dakota State | Running Back |
| 2023 | Eli Gillman | Montana | Running Back |
| 2022 | Gevani McCoy | Idaho | Quarterback |
| 2021 | Shedeur Sanders | Jackson State | Quarterback |
| 2020 | Cameron Ward | UIW | Quarterback |
| 2019 | Trey Lance | North Dakota State | Quarterback |
| 2018 | Josh Davis | Weber State | Running Back |
| 2017 | Bryson Armstrong | Kennesaw State | Linebacker |
| 2016 | A.J. Hines | Duquesne | Running Back |
| 2015 | Case Cookus | Northern Arizona | Quarterback |
| 2014 | Chase Edmonds | Fordham | Running Back |
| 2013 | Cooper Kupp | Eastern Washington | Wide Receiver |
| 2012 | John Robertson | Villanova | Quarterback |
| 2011 | Terrance West | Towson | Running Back |
This prestigious award highlights the achievements of rising stars in FCS football, recognizing their potential for future success at higher levels. With a rich history and a notable list of past winners, the Jerry Rice Award continues to celebrate excellence in college football.
