CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina freshman defensive back Ronald Kent Jr. was among nine players added to the watch list for the 2018 Jerry Rice Award, which is given by STATS FCS to the nation’s top freshman. The Jerry Rice Award, named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, has been presented in the postseason to the FCS freshman player of the year since 2011.

Kent joins a short list of Catamounts to land on the watch list for top freshman, joining Daniel Riddle (2014), Ian Berryman (2015), and Tyrie Adams (2016). Adams finished a school-best fourth in the national voting two seasons ago.

Kent has helped headline a youth movement in the back end of the Catamount defensive secondary, as he is one of three true or redshirt freshmen starting at defensive back. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, product has six starts in the eight games this season and currently ranks tied for fifth on the team with 43 total tackles including 30 solo stops and five tackles for loss. The athletic corner has made his biggest impact with 12 pass break-ups, the first time a Catamount defender has hit double digits since Trey Morgan recorded 10 back in 2016. Kent’s 12 PBUs are the most by a Catamount since Ahmed Green had 12 back in 2002, tied for the sixth-most in the program’s single-season record books.

Kent is one of three from the Southern Conference to grace the Rice Award watch list, joined by RB Quay Holmes of ETSU and QB Robert Riddle of Mercer. Still a young award, the Rice Award is distinguished with three of the first four recipients to complete their college careers playing in the NFL: former Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.

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.

Also, this season STATS 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 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year. WCU currently has players on three of the STATS FCS watch lists including Adams on the Payton Award list and DB Marvin Tillman on the Buchanan Award ledger.

Western Carolina (3-5, 1-5 SoCon) hosts The Citadel (2-5, 2-4 SoCon) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field in the annual Homecoming game.

For STATS' full release, click here.