
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Dugger Named to STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List
10/25/2017 12:12:00 PM | Football
Full STATS Release | DavidsonPhotos.com
STATS – Davidson freshman Wesley Dugger is one of 17 freshman across the country named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, announced by STATS Wednesday.
The Jerry Rice Award is given annually to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision's most outstanding freshman and voted on by a panel of nationwide media and college sports information directors. The trophy is named in honor of Jerry Rice, the NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver who starred at Mississippi Valley State University.
A native of Henrico, Va., Dugger burst onto the scene in the Wildcats season opener against Brevard. The rookie running back posted the best debut in program history, rushing for 196 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown. He backed up his debut with a 117-yard, 19-carry effort and a touchdown at current nationally ranked Western Carolina.
"Wes approaches every single practice as if it is game day. Freshman running backs tend to hit a wall midway through their first season and that hasn't happened," said running backs coach Laymarr Marshall. "Wes is a unique back, the amount of physicality he brings to running and blocking and his commitment to being an all around back is special. He has chance to have a great career here at Davidson."
Dugger ranks atop the Pioneer Football League in rushing yards-per-game (103.0) and second in yards gained (721), both are also good enough to rank in the top 10 across the FCS. Fellow PFL rookie running back, Daniel Smith of Campbell, was also named to the watch list.
"We are pleased with Wesley's performance. He is a tremendous student-athlete. I am excited for him to be recognized," said head coach Paul Nichols. "He is hard working, consistent and energetic at all times. We look forward to seeing his performance over the course of the rest of the season."
Davidson next heads to Drake Saturday, Oct. 28 for a PFL showdown with the Bulldogs. Kickoff from Des Moines is slated for 2 p.m.
For the latest on Davidson football, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
STATS – Davidson freshman Wesley Dugger is one of 17 freshman across the country named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, announced by STATS Wednesday.
The Jerry Rice Award is given annually to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision's most outstanding freshman and voted on by a panel of nationwide media and college sports information directors. The trophy is named in honor of Jerry Rice, the NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver who starred at Mississippi Valley State University.
A native of Henrico, Va., Dugger burst onto the scene in the Wildcats season opener against Brevard. The rookie running back posted the best debut in program history, rushing for 196 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown. He backed up his debut with a 117-yard, 19-carry effort and a touchdown at current nationally ranked Western Carolina.
"Wes approaches every single practice as if it is game day. Freshman running backs tend to hit a wall midway through their first season and that hasn't happened," said running backs coach Laymarr Marshall. "Wes is a unique back, the amount of physicality he brings to running and blocking and his commitment to being an all around back is special. He has chance to have a great career here at Davidson."
Dugger ranks atop the Pioneer Football League in rushing yards-per-game (103.0) and second in yards gained (721), both are also good enough to rank in the top 10 across the FCS. Fellow PFL rookie running back, Daniel Smith of Campbell, was also named to the watch list.
"We are pleased with Wesley's performance. He is a tremendous student-athlete. I am excited for him to be recognized," said head coach Paul Nichols. "He is hard working, consistent and energetic at all times. We look forward to seeing his performance over the course of the rest of the season."
Davidson next heads to Drake Saturday, Oct. 28 for a PFL showdown with the Bulldogs. Kickoff from Des Moines is slated for 2 p.m.
For the latest on Davidson football, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
2026 Davidson Football Spring Zoom Call
Thursday, March 19
WEEK 12: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, November 18
WEEK 11: Coaches Corner with Head Coach Saj Thakkar presented by Atrium Health.
Tuesday, November 11
DC Football The Final Push, A Gridiron Club Check (11-04-25)
Friday, November 07




