Elon Football’s Cheek Named to Jerry Rice Award Watch List

ELON, N.C. – Elon University quarterback Davis Cheek has been selected as one of 17 players named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List as announced by STATS FCS on Wednesday, Oct. 25. The Jerry Rice Award is presented annually to the top freshman FCS player in the country.

Full List of Nominees

Cheek, a native of Matthews, N.C., currently ranks third in CAA Football and 37th nationally with 12.83 yards per completion. He also sits third in the league and 25th in the country with a 62.8 completion percentage. Among FCS freshmen, Cheek rates seventh in passing yards (1,193), second in passing efficiency (146.1), tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (10), eighth in passing yards per game (170.4), fourth in yards per completion (12.83) and fifth in points responsible for (72).

Twice this season Cheek has been selected as the CAA Football Rookie of the Week and he was named the STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week on Oct. 23.

Cheek, who has started all seven games for the Phoenix, has thrown for 300 or more yards twice this year, including a high of 331 yards in a league victory at Rhode Island. He has had three games in which he tossed three touchdown passes and has led the maroon and gold to three fourth-quarter comebacks. On the year, he has completed 93 of his 148 passes. Cheek has also been able to move the ball on the ground, running for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

After a 2016 season in which the Phoenix scored just 134 points, Cheek has helped Elon score 168 points through seven games this season. His performance has assisted in Elon’s 6-1 start that includes a trio of victories over top-25 opponents. The 6-1 start is the best for the program since 2009 and, at No. 10, the team has achieved its highest national ranking since early in the 2010 campaign.

The watch list will undergo change during the season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on 20 finalists following the regular season.

Cheek and the Phoenix will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 28, with a 3:30 p.m. contest at Villanova.