Elon redshirt freshman quarterback Landen Clark was selected to the Jerry Rice Award watch list, Stats Perform announced Wednesday morning. The award, named after Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, is given to the national freshman of the year at the FCS level. 

 

Clark is one of seven quarterbacks named to the 22-player watch list, and one of four players selected from the CAA. Previous Jerry Rice Award winners include current NFL athletes Cooper Kupp, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. 

 

Clark is the third Phoenix in the last three seasons to be named to the Jerry Rice Award watch list, joining Marco Patierno (2023) and TJ Thomas Jr. (2024). Elon is the only CAA school to have a Jerry Rice Award watch list selection in each of the past three seasons. 

  

Elon's starting quarterback has been one of the top passers and rushers in the CAA this season. Clark is third in the CAA and 17th nationally in passing yards (1,630) and also ranks fifth in the conference in passing efficiency (141.3). As a rushing threat, Clark is 14th nationally and second in the CAA with seven rushing touchdowns while piling up 407 total yards on the ground. The dual-threat quarterback is 16th in the FCS in total points responsible for (104) through eight games played. 

 
Clark and the Phoenix return to the gridiron this Saturday at Maine. Kickoff between Elon and the Black Bears will be at 1 p.m. ET in Orono, Maine. 
 
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