KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Football's redshirt freshman cornerback Syeed Gibbs was one of 22 FCS players in the nation to be named to the watch list for the 2023 Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award on Wednesday morning. 

The Rice Award, now in its 12th season, is named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice and given to the national freshman of the year. Past recipients include Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington), Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Chase Edmonds (Fordham) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State). 

Gibbs is one of four CAA Football players to be named to the esteemed list, joined by quarterback Camden Coleman (Richmond), linebacker Maro Patierno (Elon) and wide receiver VJ Wilkins (Campbell). 

The redshirt freshman is tied for the conference lead with three interceptions this season. His 37 tackles are fifth-most among the Rams' defense and he has additionally contributed a pair of TFLs. 

Gibbs is the first player in program history to make the watch list, which is listed below.

More players can join the Jerry Rice Award watch list before a national media panel selects the winner following the regular season. Also this season, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

2023 Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award Watch List
Marqui Adams, Delaware State, QB, 6-1, 175 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Camden Coleman, Richmond, QB, 6-3, 220 (CAA Football)
Quincy Craig, Portland State, RB, 5-9, 185 (Big Sky Conference)
Champ Dozier, Houston Christian, RB, 5-8, 180 (Southland Conference)
MJ Flowers, Eastern Illinois, RB, 6-1, 195 (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Syeed Gibbs, Rhode Island, DB, 6-0, 180 (CAA Football)
Eli Gillman, Montana, RB, 6-0, 206 (Big Sky Conference)
Carter Glassmyer, Saint Francis, LB, 6-1, 210 (Northeast Conference)
Malachi Hosley, Penn, RB, 5-10, 185 (Ivy League)
Brendan Jenkins, Samford, WR, 6-1, 200 (Southern Conference)
Jaylon Joseph, Lafayette, DE, 6-2, 240 (Patriot League)
Alex McLaughlin, Northern Arizona, DB, 6-2, 190 (Big Sky Conference)
Mack Mikko, Presbyterian, PK, 5-8, 175 (Pioneer Football League)
Zach Mitchell, Southern Utah, WR, 5-11, 200 (United Athletic Conference)
Connor Moore, Montana State, LT, 6-5, 306 (Big Sky Conference)
Tye Niekamp, Illinois State, LB, 6-3, 230 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Marco Patierno, Elon, LB, 6-0, 225 (CAA Football)
Aaron Sears, Stephen F. Austin, CB, 5-10, 190 (United Athletic Conference)
Beau Sparks, Utah Tech, WR, 5-11, 180 (United Athletic Conference)
Tak Tateoka, St. Thomas, QB, 6-3, 196 (Pioneer Football League)
VJ Wilkins, Campbell, WR, 5-10, 160 (CAA Football)
Ty'Jarian Williams, Mississippi Valley State, QB, 6-3, 240 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)