MOSCOW, Idaho — Idaho redshirt freshman quarterback Gevani McCoy was selected as the winner of the Jerry Rice Award, the award given to the top freshman in FCS football.
McCoy was one of five quarterbacks in the running for the award and beat out 25 other finalists. He dominated the vote with 203 total points, including 31 first-place votes.
McCoy will be honored at the FCS National Awards banquet on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas.
The Vandals signal-caller finished a superb first season under center in Moscow leading all freshmen with 25 passing touchdowns, a 168.4 passer rating, and a 68% completion percentage. He also finished second among freshmen with 2,376 passing yards despite missing the season finale at Idaho State. McCoy protected that ball as well, throwing just five interceptions all regular season.
"We are extremely proud of Vani's development," Vandals Head Coach Jason Eck said in a written statement. "He was a catalyst for our offense that kept improving all year. He is a tremendous leader who plays with great emotional stability."
McCoy was the only freshman quarterback to lead his team to the FCS playoffs.
In the playoffs, McCoy completed 19-of-26 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the Vandals nail-biting first-round loss to Southeastern Louisiana 45-42.
McCoy winning the Jerry Rice Award is quite the feat as he started fall camp as the third-string quarterback.
He eventually won the starting job for the Vandals season opener against Washington State in the Battle of the Palouse rivalry where McCoy threw for 212 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in an impressive first game of the Jason Eck era where the Vandals narrowly lost to the Cougars 24-17.
The now Jerry Rice Award-winning quarterback is poised to return to Moscow for the 2023 season where the Vandals return many key starters.
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