Three From CAA Football Selected To Jerry Rice Award Watch List
Rob Washburn
30 FCS Freshman Standouts Named to the 2026 Jerry Rice Award Watch List | Opta Analyst
RICHMOND, Va. (October 21, 2026) – Three players from CAA Football were among 30 who were selected to the watch list for Stats Perform’s 2026 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the top freshman in FCS football.
Named to the list from the CAA were Stony Brook defensive
Khalid Bueno, North Carolina A&T linebacker
Donovan Frederick and Elon running back
Kamerin McDowell-Moore.
Bueno currently leads the nation with 10.5 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss. He has also contributed 36 total tackles, nine quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles for the Seawolves. Bueno has tallied at least two sacks in four of SBU’s seven games.
Frederick tops North Carolina A&T and ranks among the top 15 in the CAA with 54 total tackles. He has also tallied 3.0 tackles for loss, an interception, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry. Frederick has made at least seven stops in the Aggies’ last four games.
McDowell-Moore leads all Division I players with 1,080 rushing yards through eight games. He has scored seven touchdowns on 158 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt and 135.0 yards per game. McDowell-Moore has run for at least 100 yards in Elon’s last four games and five overall.
The Jerry Rice Award is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State University. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
True and redshirt freshmen are eligible for the Jerry Rice Award. A national media panel will select the winner from a group of finalists following the regular season.