Bronx, N.Y. (July 24, 2014) – Fordham University return specialist
Jorge Solano was named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Kickoff Returner Award Watch List it was announced on Tuesday.
"Congratulations to
Jorge Solano on earning a spot on this year's watch list," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "Solano made a tremendous impact on special teams as a freshman, notably with a 96-yard score against Saint Francis U."
Solano is the tenth Fordham player to be named to the CFPA Watch List for the 2014 season. He joins
Sam Ajala,
Tebucky Jones, Jr., and
Brian Wetzel (all wide receiver),
Mike Nebrich (QB),
Dan Light (TE),
Brett Biestek (DL),
Stephen Hodge (LB),
Michael Marando (PK), and
Ian Williams (DB) on the 2014 CFPA Watch List.
Last year, Solano set Fordham records with 43 kickoff returns for 909 yards (21.1 yards/return), breaking the former marks of 38 retuns (Robert Davis, 1999) and 840 yards (Javarus Dudley, 2002). He was fifth in the Patriot League in kickoff return average and returned one 96 yards for a touchdown at Saint Francis. As a wide receiver, Solano caught ten passes for 116 yards and one score.
Two Fordham players have earned CFPA honors. Former Fordham tight end Stephen Skelton earned CFPA honors in 2010, while current Tampa Bay Bucs specialist Patrick Murray earned the 2011 CFPA Punter Award and 2012 CFPA Placekicker Award.
The initial watch list includes 40 returning performers, vying for the top kickoff returner award in the Football Championship Subdivision. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.
The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections.
CFPA is now in its seventh season of recognition, utilizing objective rankings of player and team performance. CFPA's data index, used since 2008, spans offense, defense, and special teams.
Last season, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston earned the CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy for the FBS, while Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams earned the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy.
CFPA Trophy winner and former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.
The full list of 2014 CFPA winners will be announced January 14, 2015.
