STATS FCS Football today announced the 15 freshmen who have been named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List. The award, named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, is given to the top freshman in FCS Football.

Villanova freshman cornerback Christian Benford (Randallstown, Md.) was one of the 15 players named to the list. Benford has played in five of the six games this year and has tallied 32 tackles (26 solo), two interceptions, one tackle for loss and one pass break-up. Benford missed last week’s game at Maine due to an injury.

For his efforts in 2012, Villanova quarterback John Robertson won the Jerry Rice Award. Robertson went on to win the Walter Payton Award in 2014 as the top player in FCS Football.

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.