JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 20, 2026) – ETSU quarterback Mason Mims was named to the Jerry Rice Award Midseason Watch List on Tuesday. This award is given annually to the FCS Freshman Player of the Year. Mims is the first Buccaneer to make this list since Quay Holmes in 2018.
 
Mims, who was one of 30 players named to this list, has made an immediate impact for the Bucs this season. He is completing 70 percent of his passes (133-for-190) for 1,551 yards and 10 touchdowns. His passing yardage total ranks fourth among Division I (FBS & FCS) freshmen quarterbacks this season, while his completion percentage ranks fifth in the FCS and leads the Southern Conference (SoCon).
 
The Oxford, Alabama native also paces the SoCon quarterbacks in yards per attempt (8.2) and passing efficiency (152.8). Mims, who has thrown a touchdown in six of ETSU's seven games this season, has broken ETSU's single-game school record for completions (33) against Campbell. Mims also threw for 343 yards in that game versus the Camels, which was not only the most ever by an ETSU quarterback in their first game with the team but also the fifth-most ever by a Buccaneer signal caller in a single game.
 
Mims is one of two SoCon players on the list, joining Furman's Braylon Peebles. He was also one of seven quarterbacks mentioned.
 
The Jerry Rice Award is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver 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 media panel will select the winner from a group of finalists after the regular season. The Jerry Rice Award is one of six Stats Perform FCS National Awards. The others 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.
 
Mims and the rest of the Bucs will return to action this Saturday when they visit VMI. Kickoff between the Bucs and Keydets is set for 1:30 p.m. in Lexington, Virginia.
 
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.