Josiah Silver named one of 23 finalists for Jerry Rice Freshman of the Year Award

CHICAGO - Freshman defensive end Josiah Silver (Hampton, Va.) of the University of New Hampshire football team was named one of 23 finalists for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the national freshman player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.

Silver amassed 80 tackles (42 solo), 20.5 TFL (88 yards), 12.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 11 games for the Wildcats in his first full season in Durham. His 12.5 led all CAA players and ranked fourth among FCS players. His six forced fumbles led the CAA and were tied for second in the nation among FCS student-athletes.

He was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week for November 15 with a game-high 11 tackles, career-best of 5.0 TFL's and 4.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles in New Hampshire's setback at Rhode Island on November 13. He finished the last two games of the Wildcats' season with 23 total tackles, 8.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Silver was one of two CAA freshmen among the list of 23 finalist for the national freshman of the year award.

The Jerry Rice Award, now in its 11th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver. Past recipients include Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington), Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (Fordham) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State).

A 50-member, national media panel will select the Rice Award winner, who will be announced on Dec. 13. To be eligible for the award, a freshman can't have surpassed four games played in the previous academic year – similar to the NCAA's regular redshirt rule.

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