Bronx, N.Y. (June 23, 2014) – Fordham University wide receivers Sam Ajala, Tebucky Jones, Jr., and Brian Wetzel were named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Wide Receiver Award Watch List it was announced on Monday. The three receivers join Michael Nebrich (QB), Brett Biestek (DL), Stephen Hodge (LB), and Ian Williams (DB) on the 2014 CFPA Watch List.

"Congratulations to Sam Ajala, Tebucky Jones, Jr., and Brian Wetzel on earning spots on this year's watch list," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "The potent trio combined for 33 receiving touchdowns last season."
 

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According to the CFPA's data index, Fordham returns the most efficient team offense in the Patriot League. The three wide receivers on the 2014 watch list are also a nation-best in the Football Championship Subdivision.
 
After catching 26 passes for 312 yards over his first two years at Rose Hill, Ajala, who was a 2013 All-American and first team All-Patriot League selection, had a coming out party last fall, hauling in 93 passes for 1,646 yards, both team highs, with 14 touchdowns, tying for the team lead. He broke Javarus Dudley's 2003 school record of 1,439 receiving yards in a season and tied Dudley's school record for receiving touchdowns in a season, also set in 2003. Ajala was second the NCAA FCS in receiving yards and was second in the Patriot League and fourth in the NCAA FCS in receiving yards per game (117.4). He also ranked among the top 20 nationally in receiving touchdowns (tied for fourth) and receptions per game (12^th).
 
Over his career, Ajala has 119 receptions for 1,958 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is sixth on the school's all-time receiving yards list, seventh on the career receptions list and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns.
 
Jones, a second team All-Patriot League pick last fall, enjoyed a prolific first season at Fordham, after transferring in from UConn. On the year, he caught 85 passes for 1,154 yards and five touchdowns, ranking second on the team in receiving yards and third in receptions. Jones was second in the Patriot League and 15^th in the NCAA FCS in receptions per game (6.5) and was third in the League and 14^th in the NCAA FCS in receiving yards and fourth in the conference and 23^rd in the NCAA FCS in receiving yards/game (97.0).
 

Wetzel, who was a second team all-league wide receiver and punt returned in 2013, caught 89 passes for 1,094 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns last year while also returning 24 punts for 287 yards with one score. He and Ajala tied Javarus Dudley's single season touchdown reception record set in 2003. Wetzel is the first player in school history to have two 80-yard punt returns, returning one for 84 yards at Saint Francis and then returning on for 81 yards and a score at Colgate. He tied for the Patriot League lead and was tied for fourth in the NCAA FCS in receiving touchdowns and was fourth in the League and 19^th in the NCAA FCS in receptions per game and fifth in the conference and in receiving yards/game (78.1). Wetzel also led the Patriot League and was eighth in the NCAA FCS in punt return average (12.0/return).
 
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 38 returning performers, vying for the top wide receiver 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 from its data index since 2008.
 
Brian Wetzel" src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=15&image_path=/images/2013/7/26//Wetzel2.jpg" />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.