HOUSTON – HCU redshirt freshman running back
Xai'Shaun Edwards has been named one of 25 finalists for the 2025 Jerry Rice Award, presented annually to the national freshman player of the year in the FCS subdivision.
Edwards re-wrote the HCU record books during the 2025 season, becoming the program's first-ever 1,000-yard rusher and setting a new single-season rushing touchdowns record. The League City native finished the year with 1,019 yards rushing on 194 carries with 12 touchdowns, all three of those marks led the Southland Conference and set new HCU single-season records.
He concluded the regular season 16
th in the nation in rushing yards while his 1,414 all-purpose yards in 12 games placed him 23
rd among all players in all-purpose yards per game (117.83). In just 15 career games, Edwards already ranks fifth in career rushing yards (1,040) and his 12 rushing touchdowns are good for third-most in program history.
Edwards is one of four Southland Conference players among the 25 finalists and one of five running backs.
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.
