GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman freshman wide receiver Evan James has been named to the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List, it was announced today.

James, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound product of Apopka, Fla., is among a standout group of 22 players to be named to the watch list for the award, which honors the FCS freshman of the year in college football's Division I sub-division.

Read the full Stats Perform release here.

James racked up 32 receptions for 379 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed four times for 52 yards and a score in Furman's first four games before sustaining a shoulder injury in a 31-13 road victory over Samford on Sept. 27.

He pulled down 10 receptions for 134 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown catch, in a 28-24 road win over Campbell — a performance that netted him Stats Perform National Freshman Player of the Week laurels.

Despite missing the Paladins' last three games due to injury James still leads Furman (4-3, 2-2 SoCon) in receptions and receiving yards.

In 2018 Furman bandit Adrian Hope finished fourth in balloting — and was the top defensive player finisher — for the Jerry Rice Award after pacing the FCS with 15.0 sacks.

True and redshirt freshmen are eligible for the Jerry Rice Award, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary season and is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State University.

2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List
Braden Atkinson, Mercer, QB, 6-1, 215 (Southern Conference)
Trevor Barry, New Hampshire, LB, 6-1, 222 (CAA Football)
Rico Bond, Lindenwood, 6-1, 177 (OVC-Big South Football Association)
Cason Carswell, Western Illinois, QB, 6-3, 190 (OVC-Big South Football Association) 
Landen Clark, Elon, QB, 6-0, 186 (CAA Football)
EJ Colson, UIW, QB, 6-1, 190 (Southland Conference)
Brooks Davis, Montana, WR, 6-0, 174 (Big Sky Conference)
Xai'Shaun Edwards, Houston Christian, RB, 5-9, 195 (Southland Conference)
Eric Handley, Alabama A&M, QB, 6-2, 200 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Chase Hatton, Marist, S, 5-11, 208 (Pioneer Football League)
Jaiden Haygood, UTRGV, LB, 6-0, 215 (Southland Conference)
Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut State, PK, 5-10, 190 (NEC Football)
Andrew Indorf, Towson, QB, 6-1, 195 (CAA Football)
Evan James, Furman, WR, 5-11, 170 (Southern Conference)
Lamont Lester Jr., Monmouth, DE, 6-2, 230 (CAA Football)
Darius Malcolm Jr., Wofford, DB, 5-11, 175 (Southern Conference)
Tre Page III, Tarleton State, RB, 5-9, 180 (United Athletic Conference)
Caden Pinnick, UC Davis, QB, 6-0, 200 (Big Sky Conference)
Josh Robinson, Princeton, WR, 5-7, 165 (Ivy League)
Montreze Smith Jr., Austin Peay, LB, 5-11, 204 (United Athletic Conference)
Mitchell Summers, Sacred Heart, RB, 5-7, 155 (FCS Independent)
Owen Sweeney, VMI, WR, 6-4, 200 (Southern Conference)

The 2025 Jerry Rice Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 3 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tenn.  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.