Schools

Two Monmouth University Football Freshmen Nominated For Prestigious Award

Freshman running back and wide receiver are top freshman award candidates

Monmouth freshman running back Julian Hayes, of Middletown, Conn. and wideout Neal Starling, of Belmar, have been named finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, The Sports Network announced on Monday.

The award is named after former Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Jerry Rice and is awarded to the nation’s top FCS freshman.

Hayes and Starling join 18 other players as award finalists, and the only two nominated from the same school. The winner of the Jerry Rice Award will be announced at the National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco Texas.

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Hayes finished with 216 rushes for 805 yards and 14 touchdowns, the fourth most in a single season for a Hawk.

Sterling finished the regular season first among all FCS freshmen in receptions with 57 for 677 and five touchdowns.

Sterling and Hayes are the only two Northeast Conference players up for the award.

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