PJ Hall third in Jerry Rice Award voting
12/15/2014 11:43:00 AM | Football
Sam Houston State freshman defensive end PJ Hall finished third in the final voting for the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS' top freshman player. Fordham running back Chase Edmonds took home the award and South Dakota State wide receiver Jake Wieneke was second.
Hall's third-place finish is Sam Houston's highest finish in a national player of the year voting since quarterback Dustin Long finished second in the 2004 Payton Award Voting. Hall received 11 first place votes and was the highest finishing defensive player.
The 6-1 270-pound defender leads the team with 29 tackles for losses and 11 sacks. The 29 TFLs rank as SHSU's second highest single season total. He is third on the team with 86 total tackles.
Hall also tied the school's single-season record for kick blocks with five. His field goal block in the fourth quarter of the opening round game against Southeastern Louisiana was the game-changer for the Kats in a come-from-behind win.
The Seguin product intercepted a pass against Northwestern State and has eight total pass breakups this season. The do-it-all defender has also forced four fumbles.
He is a three-time Southland defensive player of the week winner. He earned the honor for his play in the victories over Lamar, McNeese State and Central Arkansas. Hall has won national weekly honors twice.
The winner is selected by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors. The winner will be honored at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation Dec. 15 in Philadelphia. The trophy is named in honor of Jerry Rice, the NFL hall of fame wide receiver, who starred at Mississippi Valley State University.
