Bethune-Cookman senior linebacker Jarkevis Fields has been named to the watch list for the 2013 College Football Performance Award FCS Linebacker Award. College Football Performance Awards, the largest awards organization in D-I college football, recently announced its watch list for the 2013 CFPA Linebacker Award, and 35 linebackers earned spots on the list. The preliminary watch list highlights returning performers, vying for the top individual linebacker award in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Fields, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Sanford, Fla., returns to the Wildcats as the leading tackler from the 2012 campaign. He ended the season with 103 tackles (sixth-best in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), six tackles for losses and a sack. He also dropped back and broke up four passes, while helping the B-CU defense finish third nationally in passes intercepted.

"Congratulations to Jarkevis Fields on earning a spot on the 2013 CFPA Linebacker Award Watch List," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "Fields gives Bethune-Cookman strength at linebacker for the 2013 season."

Fields was named to the First Team All-MEAC squad in 2012, as well as receiving the Army Strong Leadership Award at the Florida Blue Florida Classic. He was also the recipient of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Walter Payton Achievement Award, in addition to being a preseason HBCU All-America selection by BoxToRow.

Former Bethune-Cookman star Ryan Davis earned the CFPA National Defensive Performer of the Year Award.

The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman begin the season Sunday, Sept. 1, traveling to Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn. A time for kickoff will be announced at a later date.

More than 130 CFPA recipients have signed professional contracts, and twenty-one have been first-round NFL Draft selections. CFPA recipients performing as NFL linebackers include: Von Miller (Texas A&M), Justin Houston (Georgia), Zach Brown (North Carolina), Luke Kuechly (Boston College), Jarvis Jones (Georgia), Keith Pough (Howard), Greg Jones (Michigan State), Danny Trevathan (Kentucky), Nate Irving (North Carolina State), L.J. Fort (Northern Iowa), Tyler Holmes (Massachusetts), and Ian Sluss (Portland State).

Last season, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel earned the 2012 CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy, while Harvard quarterback Colton Chapple earned the 2012 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy. Multiple award presentations were broadcast live nationally on ESPN, CBS, Fox Sports, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, as well as internationally on BYUtv.

The full list of 2013 recipients, including the 2013 CFPA FCS Awards, will be announced on January 8, 2014.

For more information, visit the Official CFPA Website (http://www.collegefootballperformance.com). Follow CFPA on Twitter @CFPerformance.

For the latest information on Bethune-Cookman Football, follow @BCUathletics on Twitter. Join the conversation for all things related to B-CU Football in 2013 by using the official hashtag #NeverSatisfied in all tweets.

Article provided by BCUathletics.com