It was announced on Wednesday that Lindenwood football redshirt freshman Rico Bond is a member of the Jerry Rice Award Watch List. The award goes to the top freshman in FCS football. 

So far this season, Bond has caught 31 passes for 428 yards and five touchdowns. The St. Louis, Mo. native has compiled two 100+ yard receiving games, which culminated in a OVC-Big South Association Freshman of the Week honor.

His 428 yards ranks second in the conference, and he has found the endzone five times, which ranks second. The 6-1 wideout averages 61.1 receiving yards per game and has gone over 50 yards in four games this season.

Bond becomes the second Lion in as many seasons named to the list, joining Steve Hall who earned a nod in 2024, Bond and the rest of the Lions will be back in action on Saturday, hosting Gardner-Webb for homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available at lindenwoodlions.com/tickets

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.