ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell freshman linebacker Jake Stebbins has been named one of 24 players nationally to be named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List for the top freshman player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) it was announced today by STATS. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season. STATS also presents 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 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

A three-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week, Stebbins is third on the team in tackles (41) and first in tackles for loss (6.5), sacks (4.5) and forced fumbles (two) in seven games at linebacker. He stands 11th in the Ancient Eight in tackles, second in fumbles forces, fourth in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss despite starting just two games. Stebbins also ranks in the top 50 nationally in sacks (48th, 0.64) and forced fumbles (31st, 0.29) per game. The sack total is second among freshmen in the FCS (Jevon Leon of Sam Houston State with 6.5).

Stebbins became the first Big Red freshman to register double figure tackles in a game since 2005 (Tim Bax with 10 at Dartmouth) with his 10-tackle, one-sack effort vs. Georgetown. The freshman earned his first Ivy League Rookie of the Week award after posting seven tackles with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble at Harvard. The repeated the following week after being credited with six tackles, including two for a loss and a sack, along with a forced fumble that was recovered and returned 87 yards for a touchdown vs. Colgate. His weekly award streak ran to three after he made nine tackles, with 1.5 for a loss and a sack, as well as a pass breakup, in the win over Brown. In the decisive fourth quarter against the Bears, Stebbins had a sack to eventually force a punt, assisted on a tackle for loss that held Brown to a field goal after a Cornell turnover gave the visitors a short field, then ended the game with a big hit on the final play to seal the win.

The 24 players nominated to the watch list, listed alphabetically by last name:
 
John Bachus III, QB, UT Martin: 135 of 236 (57.2 percent), 1,890 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs; 74 carries, 143 yards, 3 TDs (9 games)
Omar Brown, CB, Northern Iowa: 52 tackles (31 solo), 3 TFL, 5 INTs, 3 PBU (9 games)
Tyrese Chambers, WR, Sacred Heart: 36 receptions, 639 yards, 3 TDs (7 games)
Ian Corwin, QB, Drake: 115 of 196 (58.7 percent), 1,321 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs (7 games)
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross: 60 tackles (50 solo), 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 QBH, 3 FR, 1 FF (9 games)
Nick Eaton, DE, UC Davis: 46 tackles (28 solo), 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 3 FF (9 games)
Metrius Fleming, WR/RS, Tennessee Tech: 38 receptions, 542 yards, 2 TDs; 14 carries, 90 yards, 2 TDs; 27.7 KO return average, 1 TD; 116.3 all-purpose yards per game (9 games)
Tra Fluellen, S, Houston Baptist: 77 tackles (40 solo), 2 INTs, 4 PBU, 2 FR (9 games)
Ailym Ford, RB, Chattanooga: 202 carries, 1,071 yards, 9 TDs; 122.7 all-purpose yards per game (9 games)
Xavier Gipson, WR/KR, Stephen F. Austin: 37 receptions, 619 yards, 4 TDs; 21.6 KO return average; 109.7 all-purpose yards per game (9 games)
Devron Harper, WR/RS, Gardner-Webb: 31 receptions, 499 yards, 2 TDs; 23.9 KO return average, 1 TD; 137.7 all-purpose yards per game (9 games)
Tyler Hudson, WR, Central Arkansas: 38 receptions, 687 yards, 8 TDs (9 games)
Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, WR, Alabama A&M: 32 receptions, 583 yards, 8 TDs (8 games)
Hendrix Johnson, WR, Northern Arizona: 44 receptions, 700 yards, 5 TDs (9 games)
Kevin Johnson, RB/KR, Norfolk State: 63 carries, 393 yards, 6 TDs; 11 receptions, 169 yards, 3 TDs; 105.4 all-purpose yard per game (8 games)
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: 109 of 159 (68.6 percent), 19 TDs, 0 INTs, 186.1 passing efficiency; 88 carries, 595 yards, 8 TDs (9 games)
Jalen Leary, RB, Stetson: 111 carries, 694 yards, 6 TDs; 102 all-purpose yards per game (7 games)
Will McElvain, QB, Northern Iowa: 134 of 243 (55.1 percent), 1,948 yards, 17 TDs, 3 INTs; 85 carries, 236 yards, 1 TD (9 games)
Keegan Shoemaker, QB, Lafayette: 172 of 277 (62.1 percent), 2,108 yards, 12 TDs, 12 INTs; 99 carries, 248 yards, 3 TDs (9 games)
Jake Stebbins, LB, Cornell: 41 tackles (20 solo), 6.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 FF (7 games)
Jeff Undercuffler, QB, UAlbany: 179 of 311 (57.6 percent), 2,389 yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs; 147.3 passing efficiency (9 games)
Tristan Wheeler, LB, Richmond: 76 tackles (36 solo), 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 FF (9 games)
Javon Williams Jr., RB, Southern Illinois: 110 carries, 659 yards, 13 TDs; 8 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TDs; 1 TD pass; 106.8 all-purpose yards per game (9 games)
Hajj-Malik Williams, QB, Campbell: 105 of 177 (59.3 percent), 1,496 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs; 101 carries, 418 yards, 5 TDs; 1 TD reception (8 games)

Stebbins and the Big Red will visit Ivy rival Penn on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Franklin Field. The game will be televised on ESPN+.