UND's Jameer Jackson

 

PHILADELPHIA — UND wide receiver Jameer Jackson was among a trio of FCS freshman added to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List on Thursday, officials at The Sports Network announced. The Rice Award honors the national freshman of the year in the Football Championship Subdivision.

 Jackson, who is among 19 players now on the watch list, ranks second among FCS freshmen with 33 receptions and 454 yards and shares the national lead of six touchdown receptions with fellow watch list member Sean Price of Appalachian State.

 “Jameer has had a great season so far for a freshman,” Mussman said. “We have put a lot on his plate, and not only in the passing game, but he is critical for us in the run game because of his blocking. He is so big and physical and that makes him hard to bring down. He plays with an attitude as well. He is a competitor and wants to beat you. That is part of his strength.”

 The redshirt freshman registered the first 100-yard receiving game of his career against No. 16 Northern Arizona this past Saturday, catching six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. It was the second multiple-touchdown game of his career. Jackson also had nine receptions, which are the most by a UND receiver in a game this season, the week before at current No. 1 Eastern Washington.

 The Rice Award is named for legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who was a two-time first-team All-American in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, and will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. It will be presented at the FCS Awards Banquet on Dec. 17 in Philadelphia.

 The list will grow to 20 finalists.