NORMAL — Alabama A&M University redshirt freshman quarterback Eric Handley is among 22 student-athletes that have been nominated to the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List.
The award honors the FCS Freshman Player of the Year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
The Rice Award, celebrating its 15th anniversary season, is named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State University. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
Handley has appeared in seven games this season, including starting in three. He is 75 of 115 passing for 875 yards, with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He is averaging 125 yards passing per game. He threw a career-best three touchdowns, along with 355 yards at Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 27.
True and redshirt freshmen are eligible for the Jerry Rice Award. A national voting panel will select the winner from a group of finalists following the regular season.
The 2025 Jerry Rice Award recipient will be announced Dec. 3 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville. Also to be presented are 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), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Alabama A&M returns to action Saturday in the annual Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola against rival Alabama State. Kickoff against the Hornets is set for 2:30 p.m. from Legion Field in Birmingham.
