Bronx, N.Y. (August 5, 2014) - Fordham University return specialist
Brian Wetzel was named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Punt Returner Award Watch List it was announced this week.
"Congratulations to
Brian Wetzel on earning a spot on this year's punt returner award watch list," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "Wetzel will be one of the top punt returners to watch in the FCS this season."
Wetzel, who was also named to the CFPA wide receiver watch list earlier this summer, returned 24 punts for 287 yards (12.0 yards/return) with one touchdown last fall. He led the Patriot League and was eighth in the NCAA FCS in punt return average and returned to punts for more than 80 yards, including a school-record 84-yard return at Saint Francis.
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 34 returning performers, vying for the top punt 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.
