Wednesday, Utah Tech freshman receiver Beau Sparks and Southern Utah freshman wideout Zach Mitchell were named to the 2023 Jerry Rice Award List.

This award is annually presented to the top freshman in NCAA FCS football.

Sparks, a native of El Paso, Texas, has 39 receptions for 417 yards and four scores on the season for the Trailblazers.

September 18, Sparks was named as the United Athletic Conference’s freshman of the week by posting seven receptions for 87 yards in Utah Tech’s September 16 win at Northern Arizona.

Sparks and his Trailblazers teammates return to action Saturday evening at North Alabama.

Mitchell, a native of Boston, has 32 receptions for 416 yards and four scores for the Thunderbirds on the season.

Mitchell and his SUU teammates host Austin Peay Saturday evening.