DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis linebacker Nick Eaton has been selected among 24 freshmen around the country to the watch list for the 2019 FCS Jerry Rice Award, which honors the subdivision's top freshman of the year.
Originally from nearby Rocklin, California, and Whitney High School, Eaton has started eight of nine games at Sam linebacker for the Aggies this season. He ranks fourth on the squad with 46 total tackles (28 solos, 18 assists) with team highs of 9.5 tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks and five pass breakups.
Eaton also has recorded three forced fumbles, including one that earned him a trio of awards following UC Davis' 48-24 win over Cal Poly: he intercepted a pitch from Mustang quarterback Jalen Hamler, then ran 78 yards the opposite way for his first collegiate touchdown. In the days that followed that game, Eaton earned College Sports Madness Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Big Sky ROOT SPORTS Defensive Player of the Week, and STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week.
A panel of FCS sports information directors, broadcasters and media members will vote on the Jerry Rice Award as well as the Walter Payton Award (offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (defensive player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors at the end of the regular season. The honors are presented at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet in Frisco, Texas, during the weekend of the national championship.
UC Davis returns to action this Saturday for a Big Sky Conference road game at Portland State. The Aggies hold a 4-5 overall record and are receiving votes in the weekly STATS FCS poll.
2019 FCS JERRY RICE AWARD WATCH LIST
John Bachus III, QB, UT Martin
Omar Brown, CB, Northern Iowa
Tyrese Chambers, WR, Sacred Heart
Ian Corwin, QB, Drake
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross
Nick Eaton, DE, UC Davis
Metrius Fleming, WR/RS, Tennessee Tech
Tra Fluellen, S, Houston Baptist
Ailym Ford, RB, Chattanooga
Xavier Gibson, WR/KR, Stephen F. Austin
Devron Harper, WR/RS, Gardner-Webb
Tyler Hudson, WR, Central Arkansas
Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim, WR, Alabama A&M
Hendrix Johnson, WR, Northern Arizona
Kevin Johnson, RB/KR, Norfolk State
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Jalen Leary, RB, Stetson
Will McElvain, QB, Northern Iowa
Keegan Shoemaker, QB, Lafayette
Jake Stebbins, LB, Cornell
Jeff Undercuffler, QB, UAlbany
Tristan Wheeler, LB, Richmond
Javon Williams Jr., RB, Southern Illinois
Hajj-Malik Williams, QB, Campbell
ABOUT UC DAVIS: Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
AGGIE EVO: Established in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
DON'T MISS OUT: Tickets for UC Davis football are on sale by contacting the Athletics Ticket Office at (530) 752-AGS1 or by visiting us online at tickets.ucdavis.edu.
