SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference placed three student-athletes on the Sports Network's Jerry Rice Award Watch List, it was announced Wednesday (Oct. 3).  Furman quarterback Reese Hannon, Chattanooga quarterback Jacob Huesman and Appalachian State wide receiver Sean Price were three of the 16 student-athletes placed on the initial list.  The Jerry Rice Award is presented to the nation's top freshman in FCS.

Hannon became the Paladins' starting quarterback in their second game and proceeded to throw four touchdown passes against Coastal Carolina. Through his first four starts, he ranks 12th in the FCS in passing efficiency (150.91), having completed 71-of-111 passes for 937 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.

Huesman has made it easy for his father, Mocs coach Russ Huesman, to play him as a redshirt freshman. The younger Huesman has gone out and performed well, compiling 1,003 yards of total offense in his first five games. He's completed 70-of-111 passes for 699 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception. The dual-threat rushed for 166 yards and one touchdown against Jacksonville State.

The redshirt freshman has gone over 100 receiving yards in three straight games to tie a school record. He has caught 26 passes for 361 yards and five touchdowns - all team highs among the receivers. Price already has drawn comparisons to former ASU great Brian Quick.

The Rice Award, named for the legendary wide receiver, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The list will grow to 20 finalists later in the year.

2012 Jerry Rice Award Watch List
Vernon Adams, QB, Eastern Washington
Zak Browning, LB, Southern Utach
Reese Hannon, QB, Furman
Ryan Heaston, RB, Missouri State
Telvin Hooks, RB, Tennessee State
Jacob Huesman, QB, Chattanooga
Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
Sawyer Kollmorgen, QB, UNI
T.J. Lally, LB, South Dakota State
Trent McKinney, QB, Montana
Sean Price, WR, Appalachian State
J.J. Raffelson, LB, Western Illinois
Brendon Riddick, RB, Norfolk State
John Robertson, QB, Villanova
Luke Rhodes, LB, William & Mary
Andre Stubbs, ATH, Youngstown State