Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Sacred Heart quarterback RJ Noel joined the Jerry Rice Award Watch List on Tuesday.
The Rice Award, now in its third season, honors the top first-year player in the FCS, whether a true freshman or a redshirt freshman.
Noel, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound redshirt freshman, has helped Sacred Heart to a 7-1 record, which guarantees the Pioneers their first winning season since 2008.
Noel has completed 114-of-208 pass attempts for 1,494 yards and 18 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He has carried the ball 90 times for 424 yards and five touchdowns.
The Northeast Conference has selected Noel as its rookie of the week four times this season.
The Rice Award, named for the legendary wide receiver who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, can undergo revision during the season.
The winner will be announced at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation Dec. 16 in Philadelphia.
The Watch List:
Mouf Adebo, DE, Sam Houston State, 6-foot-1, 225 Seven games: 21 TT (11 solo), 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 PBU
Kourtney Berry, LB, Alabama State, 6-0, 210 Seven games: 62 TT (29 solo), 9 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR
Trent Brittain, QB, Incarnate Word, 6-2, 195 Seven games: 111-of-208, 1,249 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT, 110.1 passing efficiency; 70 carries, 302 yards, 1 TD
Devin Borders, WR, Eastern Kentucky, 6-5, 203 Seven games: 24 receptions, 345 yards, 4 TD; 3 blocked kicks
Dillon Buechel, QB, Duquesne, 6-3, 176 Six games: 129-of-207, 1,550 yards, 9 TD, 7 INT, 132.8 passing efficiency
Marcus Cox, RB, Appalachian State, 5-10, 185 Seven games: 112 carries, 595 yards, 5 TD; 33 receptions, 498 yards, 5 TD
Lawrence Forbes, P, Morgan State, 6-4, 180 Seven games: 29 punts, 44.8-yard average, 78 long, 8 inside 20, 6 50 yards- plus
Matt Johnson, QB, Charlotte, 6-3, 230 Seven games: 157-of-246, 1,860 yards, 19 TD, 8 INT, 146.3 passing efficiency; 57 carries, 208 yards, 1 TD
Javancy Jones, DE, Jackson State, 6-2, 230 Seven games: 33 TT (16 solo), 11 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FF, 1 TD
Michael Jones, CB, North Carolina Central, 5-9, 175 Seven games: 26 TT (18 solo), 2 TFL, 4 INT, 7 PBU, 1 FR
Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington, 6-2, 195 Seven games: 33 receptions, 595 yards, 9 TD
John Law, LB, Appalachian State, 6-0, 225 Seven games: 59 TT (22 solo), 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF
Christophe Mulumba, LB, Maine, 6-1, 230 Seven games: 55 TT (15 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR
RJ Noel, QB Sacred Heart, 6-1, 190 Eight games: 114-of-208, 1,494 yards, 18 TD, 3 INT, 140.1 passing efficiency; 90 carries, 424 yards, 5 TD
Trenton Norvell, QB, Western Illinois, 6-5, 220 Eight games: 112-of-220, 1,200 yards, 10 TD, 9 INT, 103.5 passing efficiency; 52 carries, 23 yards, 2 TD
Donald Payne, S, Stetson, 6-0, 191 Six games: 57 TT (36 solo), 7 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT, 7 PBU, 2 QBH, 2 FR, 2 FF, 2 TD
Peter Pujals, QB, Holy Cross, 6-2, 185 Six games: 115-of-177, 1,294 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT; 77 carries, 302 yards, 6 TD
Martin Ruiz, RB, Youngstown State, 5-11, 195 Eight games: 117 carries, 775 yards, 12 TD; 12 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD; 119.6 all-purpose yards per game
Marquis Smith, LB, Savannah State, 6-3, 235 Eight games: 79 TT (49 solo), 8 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT
Gage Steele, LB, James Madison, 6-1, 230 Seven games: 65 TT (24 solo), 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBU, 1 FF
Payton Usher, RB, Mercer, 5-7, 162 Seven games: 103 carries, 707 yards, 2 TD; 9 receptions, 81 yards; 125.1 all- purpose yards per game
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