CHICAGO _ University of Central Arkansas running back Darius Hale was one of twenty-two players named 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 who starred at Mississippi Valley State University from 1981-84. 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).
    
    Hale, a 5-foot-11, 215-pounder from Pearland, Texas (Pearland High School) has a team-high 644 rushing yards and has scored 13 rushing touchdowns, which is tied for first in the FCS. Hale also has a receiving touchdown for a total of 14 with four regular-season games remaining.
    
    Hale is averaging 92 yards per game and 5.3 yards per rush in his initial campaign at UCA. He scored a career-high four touchdowns and rushed for 253 yards last Saturday in UCA's 49-38 win at Lamar. The yardage total was the second most in UCA history.

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)

To be eligible for the Rice Award, a freshman can't have surpassed 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.

Also this season, Stats Perform 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.