SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A standout group of 25 players have been named as finalists for the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS freshman player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. Wofford defensive back Darius Malcolm Jr. is one of the 25 players named a finalist.
 
Malcolm, a second-year freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, is third on the team in total tackles with 76. He has 13 pass break-ups and 4.0 tackles for loss. Among SoCon leaders, he is 16th in total tackles and first in pass break-ups. He is also ranked 15^th in the nation in pass break-ups.
 
Malcolm joins Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson and Furman wide receiver Evan James as the only three finalists from the Southern Conference.
 
The Rice Award, celebrating its 15th anniversary season, is named after legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State University. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. True and redshirt freshmen are eligible for the Jerry Rice Award. A national voting panel will select the winner from a group of finalists following the regular season.
 
The 2025 Jerry Rice Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 3 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. Also to be presented are the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.