Grizzlies' Gillman wins Jerry Rice Award

FARMINGTON, Utah — After an incredible season in the backfield for the Montana Grizzlies, Eli Gillman was named the 2023 Jerry Rice Award recipient by Stats Perform on Wednesday.

The award honors the top national freshman player of the year in the FCS and is presented by FedEx Ground. 

Gillman’s win on Wednesday marks the Big Sky’s fifth Jerry Rice Award winner since the award began in 2011. Gillman joins Idaho’s Gevani McCoy (2022), Weber State running back Josh Davis (2018), Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus (2015) and Eastern Washington’s Cooper Kupp (2013) as the league’s winners.