Nov. 2, 2011
Philadelphia, Pa. - Old Dominion freshman quarterback Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta, Ga.) is among the four student-athletes added to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List Wednesday.
Heinicke joins wide receivers Christian Bryan of Youngstown State and Neal Sterling of Monmouth, and kick returner Jordan Wells of Southeastern Louisiana on the list
The inaugural award honors the outstanding freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision. It is presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com.
Heinicke, 6-1, 190, replaced injured quarterback Thomas DeMarco five games ago and Old Dominion hasn't slowed down. A two-time CAA Rookie of the Week, he's completed 101-of-147 pass attempts for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns with only one interception. Last week he was named the Oyster Bowl's "Most Outstanding Player" earning the Melvin Blassingham Trophy, named after the Shriner Potentate who created the Oyster Bowl back in 1946. Heinicke finished the game with 236 yards completing 22 of his 35 passes with a pair of touchdowns. The Atlanta, Georgia native was also the Monarchs' leading rusher with 11 carries for 50 yards.
A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the first Jerry Rice Award winner after the regular season. The legendary wide receiver, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, will be on hand at the national awards banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas, to present the new award.