Greensboro,NC — STATS LLC, the world’s leading sports technology, data and content company, has announced its preseason Football Championship Subdivision Offensive Player of the Year Watch List and its All-America teams to kick off a broad plan that will see it significantly expand its coverage of FCS.
North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen made the watch list and earned third-team preseason All-American honors as an all-purpose player. Cohen is the returning co-offensive player of the year in the MEAC. Over the past two seasons he has led the MEAC in rushing and was third in 2014 in the FCS in yards per carry (6.8). He also ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing yards per game (11th, 121.8 ypg), rushing TD’s (15th, 15) and points per game (18th, 8.7 ppg).
STATS, which purchased The Sports Network (TSN) in February, will look to build on the momentum its acquisition has created for rich content in the FCS market. For almost three decades, TSN has served the FCS community with such staples as a pre-and postseason All-American team, weekly Top 25 poll, national players of the week, award watch lists and season-ending awards.
In addition, STATS is creating a dedicated FCS website featuring breaking news, real-time scores and other unique content that will combine the strengths of the company’s data, editorial and products expertise for players, coaches and fans. The company is scheduled to release its preseason Top 25 poll on Aug. 10.
The 2015 season won’t be easy on defensive coordinators as nine of the 13 FCS conferences return their offensive player of the year and 12 players who were finalists for national player of the year honors last season are back. They were among the 22 players nominated Monday to the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List, including one from each FCS conference.
The breakdown by position for the watch list: 10 quarterbacks, nine running backs and three wide receivers. The conferences with the most nominees were CAA Football and the Missouri Valley with three each. The STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List can undergo revision during the 2015 season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the winner following the regular season.
Also this season, STATS will honor the outstanding defensive player in the FCS, a freshman player of the year and a coach of the year with season-ending awards.
2015 STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year Award Watch List
Tarik Cohen – No. 28
North Carolina A&T Aggies
Running Back – Junior
5-6, 172
Hometown: Bunn, North Carolina
*Cohen’s smaller stature doesn’t belie his big playmaking ability. He’s superb in open space, whether it be on carries or receptions, and has been clocked in 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He also can run hard between the tackles and shed defenders.
*Had 15 carries of at least 25 yards in 2014, leading to a 6.8-yard average which ranked third in the FCS. Finished with 1,340 yards and 15 touchdowns on 197 carries as well as 143.4 all-purpose yards per game for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference co-champs. Also named the conference’s co-offensive player of the year.
*Led the MEAC in rushing yards (1,148) and average per carry (5.9) in 2013, earning the conference’s rookie of the year award.
*Has been a social media sensation and made two live appearances on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” to showcase his ability to catch a football, even two while doing a backflip.
Marshaun Coprich – No. 25
Illinois State Redbirds
Running Back – Senior
5-9, 205
Hometown: Victorville, California
*Tough, downhill-style running back with a “Baby Bull” nickname was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s 2014 offensive player of the year as he helped Illinois State to a school-record 13 wins and into the FCS national championship game.
*The first-team All-American led the FCS in rushing yards (2,274) and touchdowns (27), and set numerous school records along the way.
*Patterning himself after football legend Barry Sanders, Coprich prefers to blast off tackle, get around the edge of defenses and move up the sideline.
*Finished fifth in the voting for the 2014 national offensive player of the year.
*Illinois State coach Brock Spack came across Coprich while he was recruiting Coprich’s cousin, who ended up at the University of California.
Khairi Dickson – No. 1
Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash
Running Back – Senior
6-0, 182
Hometown: Cleveland
*Lanky tailback blends power with unassuming speed. Will wait behind his linemen to find a hole in the defense, and then uses his strength to bounce off or carry tacklers as well as run past them.
*Was one of the bigger surprises in the FCS in 2014, rushing for 244 yards in the season opener against Fordham and going on to set a Saint Francis single- season record with 1,708 yards. He was named the Northeast Conference offensive player of the year.
*The finalist for 2014 national offensive player of the year led the FCS in rushing yards per game (155.3) and scored 12 rushing touchdowns to lead the NEC.
*Third-team All-American will be tested in 2015 as Saint Francis is replacing four of its five starters on the offensive line.
Ed Eagan – No. 7
Northwestern State Demons
All-Purpose – Senior
5-10, 181
Hometown: New Orleans
*Eagan’s versatility was most evident in the 2014 Southland Conference postseason honors as he received three first-team selections – at wide receiver, all-purpose and punt returner.
*A cornerback and special teams performer during his first season at Northwestern State, his speed, leaping ability and ball-attacking skills earned him a switch to wide receiver as his career progressed.
*As a junior in 2014, he set five program records – career kickoff return yardage (2,125), single-season kickoff return yardage (1,045), single-season kickoff returns (45), single-season receptions (73) by 19 catches and single- game receiving yardage (238 versus McNeese State) – and tied the single-game receptions mark with 13 against Abilene Christian.
*Finished second in the FCS in all-purpose yards per game (180.8).
*Set the Louisiana high school record with five interceptions in a game during his junior season.
Chase Edmonds – No. 22
Fordham Rams
Running Back – Sophomore
5-9, 185
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
*Edmonds faced the difficult job of replacing All-Patriot League first-teamer Carlton Koonce as a true freshman in 2014, but he literally hit the ground running with 300 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in his first career game. He didn’t slow much, either, in winning national freshman of the year honors and becoming a finalist for the national offensive player of the year.
*He enjoyed a record-setting rookie season, setting Fordham marks with 1,838 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns and 2,473 all-purpose yards, while earning second- team All-America honors.
*He uses a fast and deceptively punishing style to get past defenders.
*Like the start, Edmonds ended his first season strong by gaining a Patriot League single-game record 385 all-purpose yards (208 rushing, 13 receiving, 164 kickoff return) in an FCS playoff matchup versus New Hampshire.
John Gibbs Jr. – No. 3
Alcorn State Braves
Quarterback – Senior
6-6, 220
Hometown: Houston
*Enters his fourth year as the starter after earning the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s 2014 co-offensive player of the year award.
*Led the Braves to their first SWAC championship since 1994, collecting 365 total yards and three touchdown passes in the title game win over reigning champ Southern. The game was played in his hometown of Houston, and 10 days later, the city designated Dec. 16 to be John Gibbs Jr. Day.
*Uses height to see downfield receivers, but also is athletic for his size and will overpower defenders while on the run.
*Considered a student of the game, Gibbs finished second in the SWAC in passing efficiency (139.7), throwing for 2,482 yards and 21 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. Also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards (1,006) on a national- high 7.5 yards per carry, with 11 touchdowns, as Alcorn State finished second in the FCS with a 44-point average.
Johnta Hebert – No. 3
Prairie View A&M Panthers
All-Purpose – Senior
5-10, 195
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
*Was named to the 2014 All-Southwestern Athletic Conference first team as both a running back and a return specialist. Also effectively catches passes out of the backfield.
*Led the FCS in all-purpose yards per game (225.3) by a decisive margin and finished second in the SWAC rushing yards per game (106.3) as a junior. Scored at least one touchdown in nine of Prairie View’s 10 games, totaling 15 overall.
*Earned second-team All-America honors.
*Speedy runner makes opposing tacklers miss, but Hebert isn’t afraid to lower his head and get the tough yards.
*Was named the SWAC’s freshman of the year in 2012 after breaking in his all- around skills.
Jacob Huesman – No. 14
Chattanooga Mocs
Quarterback – Senior
6-1, 215
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
*The son of Tennessee at Chattanooga head coach Russ Huesman received the Southern Conference’s offensive player of the year award in both 2013 and ’14, helping the Mocs to a share of the title as a sophomore and then an unbeaten conference record and outright title as a junior. His leadership has helped build the Mocs’ winning culture.
*Led the Mocs to the FCS playoff quarterfinals in 2014 – their first postseason appearance in 30 years. He was responsible for a school-record 37 touchdowns (23 passing, 14 rushing).
*A dual-threat who plays with consistency in a spread offense, he can turn a poor play into a positive. He has long put up impressive rushing statistics without forcing the run, and has improved so much as a passer that he led the FCS in completion percentage (68.5) in 2014.
*Started 35 games in his first three seasons, including one as a wide receiver. He is Chattanooga’s all-time record holder in total offense.
Connor Kacsor – No. 23
Dayton Flyers
Running Back – Redshirt Senior
6-0, 211
Hometown: St. Leo, Indiana
*Speedy tailback likes to work the middle of the field against opposing defenses.
*Was named the Pioneer Football League’s 2014 offensive player of the year and a third-team All-American, rushing for 1,547 yards and 17 touchdowns on 255 carries.
*His coaches consider the finalist for 2014 national offensive player of the year to be powerful (school-record 301 yards versus Georgetown), fast (three touchdown runs of 50 yards or more versus Morehead State), durable (47 carries versus Davidson), dependable (65 of his 81 yards at Marist came in the fourth quarter when Dayton protected a lead) and clutch (four TDs in five overtimes at Davidson).
*His season-opening performance at Georgetown was the second 300-yard rushing game in PFL history.
*Kacsor, Dayton’s all-time leading rusher, just missed 1,000 yards in 2013 as he rushed for 996 yards on 177 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. In 2012, he averaged 10.6 yards per carry in rushing for 432 yards and five touchdowns.
Cooper Kupp – No. 10
Eastern Washington Eagles
Wide Receiver – Junior
6-2, 195
Hometown: Yakima, Washington
*Through two seasons, Kupp is on pace to be one of the top wide receivers in FCS history. In his first 28 career games, he totaled 197 receptions for 3,122 yards and 37 touchdowns.
*As a freshman in 2013, he caught a touchdown in his first 14 games (an FCS record). As he won FCS freshman of the year honors, he set national freshman marks in receptions (92), receiving yards (1,691) and touchdown receptions (21).
*In 2014, he had 104 receptions in only 13 games, turning them into 1,431 yards and 16 touchdowns, as Eastern Washington won a third straight Big Sky Conference championship.
*The two-time first-team All-American understands what opposing defenses are doing and can work a release from different spots on the line of scrimmage.
*Kupp comes from a rich football background: His father, Craig, was a former NFL quarterback, while his grandfather, Jake, enjoyed a long NFL career as an offensive guard.
Vad Lee – No. 2
James Madison Dukes
Quarterback – Senior
6-1, 225
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
*Former Georgia Tech quarterback was electrifying in his first season at James Madison, leading the Dukes to the 2014 FCS playoffs. The precise thrower became their first-ever 3,000-yard passer in a season (3,462) and also set school records with 30 touchdown passes and 4,288 total yards.
*Ranked first in the FCS in total combined runs and passes (648) as well as fourth in total yards per game (329.8).
*Plays with a high-energy style, whether getting into the open field on runs or using his strong arm to reach downfield targets. The JMU offensive system was a switch for Lee from the triple option at Georgia Tech, where he was the primary signal caller for two seasons.
*Was the second-team quarterback in CAA Football behind 2014 national offensive player of the year John Robertson of Villanova. Lee finished fourth in the national voting.
Troy Mitchell – No. 10
Western Carolina Catamounts
Quarterback – Senior
6-0, 205
Hometown: Houston
*Has matured into the catalyst of the Western Carolina offense, becoming equally reliant on his passing prowess as well as his elusiveness and running ability. Will keep plays alive to find a seam in the defense or a receiver open downfield.
*Was named the Southern Conference’s 2014 second-team quarterback (behind offensive player of the year Jacob Huesman of Chattanooga) after the resurgent Catamounts went 7-5 following a 3-20 mark over the previous two seasons.
*The versatile, dual-threat quarterback set the school’s single-season record for total offensive yards (3,096) and accounted for 26 total touchdowns as a junior.
*Surrounded by a wealth of returning skills players in 2015 to build upon the Catamounts’ breakout campaign.
*Made 26 career starts through his first three seasons.
Dy’Shawn Mobley – No. 7
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Running Back – Senior
5-11, 215
Hometown: Powell, Tennessee
*Transfer from the University of Kentucky was the Ohio Valley Conference’s 2014 offensive player of the year in his first season at Eastern Kentucky.
*Big power back who overpowers defenders between the tackles, Mobley consistently finds the end zone. He equaled the conference record with six touchdowns in a win over Murray State.
*Racked up 1,491 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns – both OVC highs – to help the Colonels reach the FCS playoffs.
*Highly touted high school prospect set Tennessee high school records with 3,068 yards and 48 touchdowns as a senior. He played in all 24 games over the 2012 and ’13 seasons at Kentucky, starting the final two games of his sophomore campaign.
Darrin Peterson – No. 13
Liberty Flames
Wide Receiver – Senior
6-2, 190
Hometown: Attalla, Alabama
*Peterson, “Petey” to his teammates, has worked hard with Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum to become the team’s go-to receiver – and an All-American at that.
*Uses long strides to gain separation along the sideline, has soft hands and is adept at catching passes over his shoulder.
*Enjoyed a record-setting junior campaign in 2014, when he set school single- season marks with 85 receptions and 1,379 receiving yards (fourth-best in the FCS) with 12 touchdown catches. In the process, he earned All-Big South first- team honors for the second consecutive year and made the All-America second team.
*Helped Liberty earn a share of the conference title and reach the FCS playoffs for the first time. The Flames beat James Madison on the road in the postseason.
Dakota Prukop – No. 5
Montana State Bobcats
Quarterback – Junior
6-2, 195
Hometown: Austin, Texas
*From a growing list of recent standouts who migrated from Texas to Montana State, Prukop was outstanding in 2014 after he replaced four-year standout DeNarius McGhee – a fellow Texan – as the Bobcats’ starting quarterback
*Known for being a terrific decision maker, Prukop’s elusive running ability sets him apart from many quarterbacks. The quick signal caller is as likely to run for a touchdown as he is to pass for one.
*A late-season knee injury slowed what was a brilliant sophomore season. Included were an eight-touchdown performance (five passing, three rushing) with 488 total yards at Sacramento State followed by 509 total yards and six total touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) at UC Davis – two wins in which Montana State averaged 68 points.
*Finished his first season as a starter (11 games) by completing 171-of-263 pass attempts for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns as well as a 164.8 QB rating and with 947 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
Tre Roberson – No. 5
Illinois State Redbirds
Quarterback – Senior
6-0, 205
Hometown: Indianapolis
*Earned the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s newcomer of the year award in 2014 after transferring in from the University of Indiana. The conference’s first-team quarterback led Illinois State to a school-record 13 wins and a spot in the FCS national championship game.
*Wears a “Superman” shirt below his jersey and lives up to the pressure.
*Keeps opposing defenses off balance with deceptive ability on the read option and will accelerate through the front seven to find open space. He finished his redshirt junior season as both a 3,000-yard passer (3,221) and 1,000-yard rusher (1,029), averaging 283.3 total yards per game.
*Totaled 41 touchdowns (30 passing, 11 rushing) to combine on the second-most points responsible for in the FCS (248).
*Was the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Indiana in 2011, collecting five starts overall. Received a medical redshirt in 2012 after suffering a broken leg in the Hoosiers’ second game.
John Robertson – No. 19
Villanova Wildcats
Quarterback – Senior
6-1, 221
Hometown: Paramus, New Jersey
*In dominating opponents with both his arm and feet, Robertson captured the 2014 national offensive player of the year award as a junior.
*Accounted for 46 total touchdowns (35 passing, 11 rushing) and 301.8 total yards per game while leading the FCS in passer efficiency rating (181.3) and points responsible for (280). He threw only three interceptions in 301 pass attempts.
*The lanky, elusive runner has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
*Was selected as 2012 national freshman of the year, rushing for 1,021 yards and 14 touchdowns and passing for 1,965 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Alex Ross – No. 4
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Quarterback – Graduate Student
6-1, 205
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
*Teammates laud Ross for his poise, presence, preparation and tenacity in helping Coastal Carolina become a Top 10 program.
*Named the Big South’s 2014 offensive player of the year, he set conference season records for total offense (4,080), passing yards (3,389) and completions (271) while ranking second on its seasonal lists for rushing yards by a quarterback (691) and most games with at least 300 yards of total offense (seven).
*Already a two-time selection to the All-Big South first team, Ross finished seventh in the voting for 2014 national offensive player of the year.
*Had shoulder surgery following his junior season, separating it early in the Chanticleers’ FCS quarterfinal-round loss at North Dakota State but staying in the game and leading his team to a fourth-quarter lead.
*Graduated cum laude in management in December 2014 (after his junior season) and is pursuing his M.B.A.
Darius Victor – No. 7
Towson Tigers
Running Back – Junior
5-8, 210
Hometown: Hyattsville, Maryland
*No longer the understudy to Towson running back great Terrance West, Victor earned All-CAA Football first-team honors in 2014.
*Victor worked his way to a conference-high 1,305 rushing yards as well as 12 touchdowns on 250 carries.
*Physical back who looks for contact, Victor runs downhill between the tackles. He has learned to be patient behind his blockers and can keep his balance despite getting hit near the line of scrimmage.
*While playing behind West on Towson’s 2013 FCS runner-up squad, Victor was named the CAA offensive rookie of the year, rushing for 629 yards and seven touchdowns on 98 carries. Like West, Victor can break away from defenders once into the open field.
Herb Walker Jr. – No. 3
Morgan State Bears
Running Back – Junior
5-8, 180
Hometown: Cleveland
*Athletic, elusive runner didn’t begin his sophomore season as Morgan State’s No. 1 tailback, but he earned the job and ran with it, helping the Bears to a share of the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and their first FCS playoff appearance.
*Despite a smaller size – his teammates call him “Smurf” – Walker is durable because of his low center of gravity and pad level. He follows blocks well and will jump-cut abruptly with stop-and-start quickness.
*Set the school’s single-game rushing record with 271 yards in his first career start en route to All-MEAC first-team honors and both a school-record and conference-high 1,408 yards on 233 carries. He rushed for 13 touchdowns.
*After finishing third in his high school’s graduating class, Walker’s goal at Morgan State is to finish with a 3.0 or higher grade point average.
Carson Wentz – No. 11
North Dakota State Bison
Quarterback – Senior
6-6, 231
Hometown: Bismarck, North Dakota
*Kept North Dakota State’s dynasty going in 2014, leading the Bison to a record fourth straight FCS national title while scoring the winning touchdown and earning Most Outstanding Player honors in the championship game.
*Highly decorated honors student who brings heady play to his position. Possesses a strong arm with a quick delivery, and he can be a battering ram when he takes off on runs.
*As a first-year starter, Wentz set NDSU single-season records for passing attempts (358), completions (228), passing yards (3,111) and total offense per game (234.6).
*Two-time recipient of the NCAA Elite 89 award for the highest grade point average among players in the FCS championship game.
*Considered one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft.
Dalyn Williams – No. 10
Dartmouth Big Green
Quarterback – Senior
6-0, 210
Hometown: Corinth, Texas
*Williams is a dual-threat signal caller, but he’s not quick to pull down the ball and run. Rather he works to find an open receiver downfield.
*Has helped lift Dartmouth back into the upper echelon of the Ivy League, playing with a cerebral, confident style. In 2014, Williams was an All-Ivy first-team selection and helped the Big Green to their best record (8-2) in 17 years. He also was the runner-up for the Ivy offensive player of the year award.
*Led the league in completion percentage (67.5) and passing efficiency (157.57) while throwing for 2,119 yards and 21 touchdowns with just three interceptions – the best ratio in school history – as a junior. He also had 444 rushing yards to pace Ivy QBs, scoring six touchdowns on the ground.
*Was selected as the Ivy rookie of the year in 2012.