Atkinson Adorns Jerry Rice Award Watch List
10/22/2025 9:57:00 AM | Football
MACON – National recognition continued to roll in for newcomer Braden Atkinson on Wednesday morning when the freshman signal called was among 22 standouts nationwide that have been nominated to the watch list for the 2025 Jerry Rice Award which honors the FCS freshman of the year.
Atkinson, a rookie from Rolesville, N.C., was one of just three Southern Conference student-athletes included in the announcement which includes Furman wide receiver Evan James and Wofford defensive back Darius Malcolm as well.
The 2025 Jerry Rice Award recipient will be announced on December 3 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on January 3 in Nashville, Tenn.
Atkinson has been key amid Mercer's current 5-game win streak, throwing for 1,515 yards and 16 touchdowns on 122-for-174 passing with just four interceptions in his first five games as the starter. He has tossed three or more touchdown passes in four of his five games as a starter under center, including a school record-matching 5-touchdown performance in the home win over Samford on October 4.
Atkinson currently ranks second among FCS quarterbacks with 303.0 yards per game, while also ranking among the top 10 in four other offensive statistical categories.
The 14th-ranked Bears (5-1, 4-0 SoCon) will be back in action at home again on Saturday when they take on SoCon rival VMI 1-6 (0-3) in a 3 p.m. contest at Five Star Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.
Atkinson, a rookie from Rolesville, N.C., was one of just three Southern Conference student-athletes included in the announcement which includes Furman wide receiver Evan James and Wofford defensive back Darius Malcolm as well.
The 2025 Jerry Rice Award recipient will be announced on December 3 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on January 3 in Nashville, Tenn.
Atkinson has been key amid Mercer's current 5-game win streak, throwing for 1,515 yards and 16 touchdowns on 122-for-174 passing with just four interceptions in his first five games as the starter. He has tossed three or more touchdown passes in four of his five games as a starter under center, including a school record-matching 5-touchdown performance in the home win over Samford on October 4.
Atkinson currently ranks second among FCS quarterbacks with 303.0 yards per game, while also ranking among the top 10 in four other offensive statistical categories.
The 14th-ranked Bears (5-1, 4-0 SoCon) will be back in action at home again on Saturday when they take on SoCon rival VMI 1-6 (0-3) in a 3 p.m. contest at Five Star Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.
𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 🙂↕️🤌
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) October 22, 2025
🗞️: https://t.co/6m1F7YZtSA#WeOverMe pic.twitter.com/LMtcb0mGDc
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