Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Javon Williams Jr. named to Jerry Rice Award watch list
11/05/2019 | 12:00:00 | Football
Southern Illinois running back Javon Williams Jr. was named to the Jerry Rice Award watch list on Tuesday. The Rice Award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver and presented since 2011 to the Division I FCS freshman player of the year.Â
A southern Illinois native from nearby Centralia, Williams Jr. has scored 15 touchdowns on the season (13 rushing, 2 receiving) — the most by a freshman in Division I. No other FCS freshman has more than 10 touchdowns. He is tied with FBS freshman running back Kenny Gainwell of Memphis. The 15 TDs is a freshman record at SIU and seventh overall in FCS this year. It's the most by a Saluki player since RB Jewel Hampton had 17 in 2011.
In the game against Youngstown State, Williams Jr. became the first player in school history to rush for a TD, catch at TD and  pass for a TD in the same game. Frequently operating out of the Wildcat formation, Williams Jr. averages 7.0 yards per carry and his 659 rushing yards ranks second among freshmen in SIU history. Tom Koutsos holds the mark with 1,052 in 1999.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season, choosing from a list of the nation's top 24 freshmen. Recent recipients of the award who have gone on to play in the NFL include former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
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A southern Illinois native from nearby Centralia, Williams Jr. has scored 15 touchdowns on the season (13 rushing, 2 receiving) — the most by a freshman in Division I. No other FCS freshman has more than 10 touchdowns. He is tied with FBS freshman running back Kenny Gainwell of Memphis. The 15 TDs is a freshman record at SIU and seventh overall in FCS this year. It's the most by a Saluki player since RB Jewel Hampton had 17 in 2011.
In the game against Youngstown State, Williams Jr. became the first player in school history to rush for a TD, catch at TD and  pass for a TD in the same game. Frequently operating out of the Wildcat formation, Williams Jr. averages 7.0 yards per carry and his 659 rushing yards ranks second among freshmen in SIU history. Tom Koutsos holds the mark with 1,052 in 1999.
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season, choosing from a list of the nation's top 24 freshmen. Recent recipients of the award who have gone on to play in the NFL include former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
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Players Mentioned
RB
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