PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Having established himself as one of the nation's most outstanding freshmen this season, William and Mary linebacker Luke Rhodes has been selected to the 2012 Jerry Rice Award Watch List. Rhodes is one of just 16 players to be named to this season's initial watch list for the award, which honors the FCS national freshman of the year.

The Jerry Rice Award, named for the legendary wide receiver who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The list will grow to 20 finalists by then.

A brief highlight video featuring some of Rhodes' top plays from the first five games is available above or by clicking here.

Rhodes currently leads the Tribe in tackles (41) and tackles for a loss (3.5), while he ranks fifth in the CAA with 8.2 tackles per game. He has also recorded three pass breakups and a forced fumble through the first five games.

The Hollidaysburg, Pa., native was outstanding in his collegiate debut earlier this fall when he posted 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss in the season-opener at Maryland. Playing the middle linebacker position, he helped W&M hold the Terps scoreless for more than three quarters. Rhodes also came up big in last Saturday's win against Georgia State and was chosen as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week after totaling eight tackles in the 35-3 triumph.

The Tribe will look for its second consecutive victory when it plays at Penn on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

For ticket information on the Tribe's next home game against Maine (Homecoming) on Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m., please click here or call the ticket office at 757-221-3340.