BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell quarterback Daniel Smith has been named a finalist for the STATS Jerry Rice Award Watch List for FCS freshman player of the year.

The Rice Award, named for the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, has been presented to the FCS freshman player of the year since 2011. Two of the first three winners, Towson running back Terrance West and Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp, are NFL players, and the 2014 winner, Fordham running back Chase Edmonds, could be headed to a pro career beginning next year.

The Campbell rookie was also named to the STATS Walter Payton Award watch list, as well as the College Football Performance Awards' (CFPA) 2017 midseason watch list for the FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy.

During the season, Smith was named STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Week once, and picked up a pair of STATS FCS Freshman Player of the Week honorable mentions. He was also named honorable mention FCS Offensive Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards, as well as Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Week.

Smith finished the 2017 regular season with the fourth-most rushing yards in the country. His 1,272 yards on the ground led all FCS freshmen and quarterbacks. Smith also leads the nation in rush yards per carry (9.13), while standing second in rushing yards per game, fifth in points responsible for per game, ninth in total offense, 11^th in points responsible for, 11^th in rushing touchdowns, 17^th in all-purpose yards, 18^th in total touchdowns, 20^th in passing yards per completion and 24^th in scoring.

Smith set Campbell single-season records for rushing yards, total offense (3,161), all-purpose yards (1,272) and touchdowns responsible for (30). After just one season, Smith is already Campbell's career leader in touchdown passes with 18.

The Leesburg, Va. native rushed for 12 touchdowns on the season, adding 1,889 yards passing.

At Davidson, Smith exploded for 289 yards rushing, the third most overall and the most by a quarterback in a single game in the FCS this season. He added four rushing touchdowns, adding another passing in Campbell's 42-29 win.

During the season, Smith rushed for over 100 yards six times in just 10 games.