By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Bailey Fisher, in just his first six games of his young career with the Tennessee Tech football team, has made quite an impact.

That certainly hasn't gone unnoticed by teams in the Ohio Valley Conference, but he's also gaining some notoriety nationally as Fisher was selected for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award watch list as the first grouping of nominees were announced on Thursday afternoon.

The award, named after the former Mississippi Valley State wide receiver and NFL legend, recognizes the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Through six games, Fisher has thrown for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns as he has completed 86 of his 166 passes with a 117.35 efficiency rating. He is averaging 183.3 yards per game.

Against Eastern Illinois, Fisher threw for 383 yards, the fifth most by a Tech quarterback in a single game and the most by a true freshman. Against Southeast Missouri, he threw an 85-yard touchdown pass to Darrius Stafford, tied for the third longest pass completion in program history.

Fisher is also the team's second-leading rusher with 56 carries for 223 yards, averaging four yards a carry and 37.2 yards per game.

The freshman is seventh in the OVC in passing average per game and seventh in total offense (220.5 yds. per game).

Fisher is currently holding the third-highest career passing yardage per game in program history – Michael Birdsong (234.3), Andre Sale (217.1), Fisher (183.3), Lee Sweeney (177.4), Robert Craft (167.7), Tre Lamb (160.6) and Grant Swallows (125.2) are the program's leaders.

He's also putting together respectable numbers nationally. He ranks 95^th in completion percentage, 73^rd in completions per game (14.33), 86^th in passing efficiency, 48^th in passing touchdowns, 44^th in passing yards, 71^st in passing yards per game, 50^th in passing yards per completion (12.79), 80^th in points responsible for (48), 58^th in total offense and 77^th in yards per pass attempt (6.63).

The numbers are nothing new for the Rabun County (Ga.) product. As a senior last year, he passed for 3,341 yards with 43 touchdowns, averaging 222.7 yards, then rushed for 1,283 yards on 221 carries and 27 touchdowns.

A panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the season. Three of the first four recipients have gone on to complete their collegiate careers and play in the NFL – Towson running back Terrance West, Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Fordham running back Chase Edmonds.

The other players on the watch list include:

Christian Benford, Villanova, DB, Fr., 6-0, 190, Randallstown, Maryland

Statistics: 32 tackles (26 solo), 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 1 PBU (5 games)

Jack Cook, Dayton, QB, R-Fr., 6-0, 195, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

Statistics: 95 of 163, 1,290 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs; 274 rushing yards, 3 TDs (6 games)

Jon Copeland, UIW, QB, Fr., 6-0, 201, Argyle, Texas

Statistics: 86 of 172, 1,329 yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs; 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD (5 games)

Josh Davis, Weber State, RB/PR, R-Fr., 5-9, 185, Sandy, Utah

Statistics: 92 carries, 551 yards, 4 TDs; 177 all-purpose yards per game (4 games)

Alijah Jackson, Robert Morris, RB, R-Fr., 5-9, 165, Paramus, New Jersey

Statistics: 79 carries, 373 yards, 4 TDs, 93 all-purpose yards per game (5 games)

Brian Jenkins Jr., Alabama A&M, WR, Fr., 5-8, 160, Daytona Beach, Florida

Statistics: 28 receptions, 332 yards, 1 TD; 106.5 all-purpose yards per game (6 games)

Ulonzo Gilliam, UC Davis, RB, R-Fr., 5-9, 185, Merced, California

Statistics: 70 carries, 316 yards, 6 TDs; 21 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TDs (5 games)

Malik Hamm, Lafayette, DE, Fr., 6-3, 240, Baltimore

Statistics: 22 tackles (16 solo), 7 TFL, 3 Sacks, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF (5 games)

Robby Hauck, Montana, S, R-Fr., 5-10, 179, Missoula, Montana

Statistics: 59 tackles (22 solo), 1 TFL, 1 PBU (6 games)

Dev Holmes, Albany, WR, Fr., 5-8, 153, Troy, New York

Statistics: 28 receptions, 587 yards, 4 TDs (5 games)

Quay Holmes, ETSU, RB, R-Fr., 6-1, 216, Powder Springs, Georgia

Statistics: 107 carries, 467 yards, 8 TDs; 15 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD (6 games)

Chris Kolarevic, Northern Iowa, LB, R-Fr., 6-0, 223, Traverse City, Michigan

Statistics: 54 tackles (17 solo), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PBU (5 games)

Robert Riddle, Mercer, QB, R-Fr., 6-2, 202, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

Statistics: 66 of 101, 851 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs; 3 rushing TDs (4 games)

Caleb Snead, Campbell, WR, R-Fr., 6-3, 200, Lynchburg, Virginia

Statistics: 17 receptions, 341 yards, 4 TDs (6 games)

Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information