NASHVILLE --- Running back Devon Starling has been named as a STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Finalist.
Starling is one of 16 finalists as announced on Monday. The award is presented to the national freshman player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. A 40-member national media panel will select the winner from the unprecedented 2020-21 season, which has spanned the fall and spring semesters. The recipient will be announced on May 3.
Starling led all freshmen nationally in rushing, finishing with 648 yards on 124 carries and three touchdowns. The Antioch, Tenn. native averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 92.6 yards per game. Starling led all OVC rushers and ranked 16th nationally.
Starling became the first Tiger to register three 100-plus games in a season since Tim Broughton in 2013. He notched a season-best 149 yards at Murray State, one week before running for 134 yards versus UT Martin. Starling closed out the season with a 104 yard and a touchdown performance against Southeast Missouri.
The first year running back was named Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week after his performance against UT Martin (3/31), as well as for his outing against Southeast Missouri (4/13).
Starling is the third Tiger in the last five seasons to be a Jerry Rice Award finalist. Safety Vincent Sellers finished 15th in the voting in 2017 a year after wide receiver Steven Newbold finished 11th.
The Rice Award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver and is celebrating its 10th anniversary season. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is the most prominent winner of the award, and the most recent recipient in 2019, former North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, is projected to be one of the early selections in the NFL Draft on April 29.
#RoarCity
