QB Bailey Fisher named to STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award watch list
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Bailey Fisher, in just his first six games of his young career with the Tennessee Tech football team, has made quite an impact. That certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by teams in the Ohio Valley Conference, but he’s also gaining some notoriety nationally as Fisher was selected for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award watch list as the first grouping of nominees were announced on Thursday afternoon. The award, named after the former Mississippi Valley State wide receiver and NFL legend, recognizes the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Bailey Fisher, in just his first six games of his young career with the Tennessee Tech football team, has made quite an impact.
That certainly hasn't gone unnoticed by teams in the Ohio Valley Conference, but he's also gaining some notoriety nationally as Fisher was selected for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award watch list as the first grouping of nominees were announced on Thursday afternoon.
The award, named after the former Mississippi Valley State wide receiver and NFL legend, recognizes the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Through six games, Fisher has thrown for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns as he has completed 86 of his 166 passes with a 117.35 efficiency rating. He is averaging 183.3 yards per game.
Against Eastern Illinois, Fisher threw for 383 yards, the fifth most by a Tech quarterback in a single game and the most by a true freshman. Against Southeast Missouri, he threw an 85-yard touchdown pass to Darrius Stafford, tied for the third longest pass completion in program history.
Fisher is also the team's second-leading rusher with 56 carries for 223 yards, averaging four yards a carry and 37.2 yards per game.
The freshman is seventh in the OVC in passing average per game and seventh in total offense (220.5 yds. per game).
Fisher is currently holding the third-highest career passing yardage per game in program history – Michael Birdsong (234.3), Andre Sale (217.1), Fisher (183.3), Lee Sweeney (177.4), Robert Craft (167.7), Tre Lamb (160.6) and Grant Swallows (125.2) are the program's leaders.
He's also putting together respectable numbers nationally. He ranks 95th in completion percentage, 73rd in completions per game (14.33), 86th in passing efficiency, 48th in passing touchdowns, 44th in passing yards, 71st in passing yards per game, 50th in passing yards per completion (12.79), 80th in points responsible for (48), 58th in total offense and 77th in yards per pass attempt (6.63).
The numbers are nothing new for the Rabun County (Ga.) product. As a senior last year, he passed for 3,341 yards with 43 touchdowns, averaging 222.7 yards, then rushed for 1,283 yards on 221 carries and 27 touchdowns.
A panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the season. Three of the first four recipients have gone on to complete their collegiate careers and play in the NFL – Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.
The other players on the watch list include:
Christian Benford, Villanova, DB, Fr., 6-0, 190, Randallstown, Maryland
Statistics: 32 tackles (26 solo), 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 1 PBU (5 games)
Jack Cook, Dayton, QB, R-Fr., 6-0, 195, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Statistics: 95 of 163, 1,290 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs; 274 rushing yards, 3 TDs (6 games)
Jon Copeland, UIW, QB, Fr., 6-0, 201, Argyle, Texas
Statistics: 86 of 172, 1,329 yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs; 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD (5 games)
Josh Davis, Weber State, RB/PR, R-Fr., 5-9, 185, Sandy, Utah
Statistics: 92 carries, 551 yards, 4 TDs; 177 all-purpose yards per game (4 games)
Alijah Jackson, Robert Morris, RB, R-Fr., 5-9, 165, Paramus, New Jersey
Statistics: 79 carries, 373 yards, 4 TDs, 93 all-purpose yards per game (5 games)
Brian Jenkins Jr., Alabama A&M, WR, Fr., 5-8, 160, Daytona Beach, Florida
Statistics: 28 receptions, 332 yards, 1 TD; 106.5 all-purpose yards per game (6 games)
Ulonzo Gilliam, UC Davis, RB, R-Fr., 5-9, 185, Merced, California
Statistics: 70 carries, 316 yards, 6 TDs; 21 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TDs (5 games)
Malik Hamm, Lafayette, DE, Fr., 6-3, 240, Baltimore
Statistics: 22 tackles (16 solo), 7 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF (5 games)
Robby Hauck, Montana, S, R-Fr., 5-10, 179, Missoula, Montana
Statistics: 59 tackles (22 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PBU (6 games)
Dev Holmes, Albany, WR, Fr., 5-8, 153, Troy, New York
Statistics: 28 receptions, 587 yards, 4 TDs (5 games)
Quay Holmes, ETSU, RB, R-Fr., 6-1, 216, Powder Springs, Georgia
Statistics: 107 carries, 467 yards, 8 TDs; 15 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD (6 games)
Chris Kolarevic, Northern Iowa, LB, R-Fr., 6-0, 223, Traverse City, Michigan
Statistics: 54 tackles (17 solo), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU (5 games)
Robert Riddle, Mercer, QB, R-Fr., 6-2, 202, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
Statistics: 66 of 101, 851 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs; 3 rushing TDs (4 games)
Caleb Snead, Campbell, WR, R-Fr., 6-3, 200, Lynchburg, Virginia
Statistics: 17 receptions, 341 yards, 4 TDs (6 games)
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
