UC Davis redshirt freshman quarterback Treynor Cleeland was named to the 2026 Jerry Rice Award watch list. Photo courtesy of UC Davis Athletics

DAVIS, CA (MPG) - UC Davis redshirt freshman quarterback Treynor Cleeland was named to the 2026 Jerry Rice Award watch list, Stats Perform announced Oct. 20. The award is presented annually to the top freshman player in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

A native of Vancouver, Wash., Cleeland has completed 134 of 230 passing attempts, good for a 58.3 completion rate. He has totaled 1,741 passing yards (193.4 yards per game), 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also adding 52 yards and one rushing touchdown on the ground.

On Sept. 5, Cleeland finished with a career-high five passing touchdowns in a 49-17 win over San Diego, one shy of the program record. He followed this performance by totaling a career-high 331 passing yards (two touchdowns) in a 45-7 win over Stetson on Sept. 19.

The Jerry Rice Award is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State University. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.

This year's list runs 30 deep, matching the largest in the FCS freshman player of the year award's 16-year history in the Division I subdivision.

True and redshirt freshmen are eligible for the Jerry Rice Award. A national media panel will select the winner from a group of finalists following the regular season.

The Jerry Rice Award is one of six honors presented as part of the Stats Perform FCS National Awards. The others are 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), HBCU National Player of the Year, and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

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