CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas wide receiver Malachi Henry was named Monday as one of 25 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, as announced by Stats Perform.

The Jerry Rice Award honors the national freshman of the year in college football's NCAA Division I FCS subdivision.

Henry, a redshirt freshman from Van Buren (Ark.) High School, finished the season with 40 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns, with a long reception of 79 yards. He finished ninth in the United Athletic Conference with 56.9 receiving yards per game. 

Henry had career highs of eight receptions and 133 receiving yards against Southern Utah. He had two catches for 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns against North Alabama.

Over the final five games of the season, Henry recorded 25 receptions for 409 yards and four touchdowns.