Johnson Selected to CFPA FCS National Performer Midseason Watch List

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Entering the home stretch of the regular season, James Madison quarterback Cole Johnson was named to the midseason watch list for the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy, the College Football Performance Awards announced on Monday.

Through nine starts, Johnson is 188-of-275 yards for 2,256 passing yards and 25 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He's also rushed for 155 yards and four scores.

Johnson ranks top-10 nationally in four statistical categories, including third in both completion percentage (68.4%) and pass efficiency rating (165.8). He's seventh in passing touchdowns (25) and eighth in point responsibility per game (19.3).

The Virginia Beach, Va., native is also top 25 in three other areas, which includes 16th in yards per pass attempt (8.2), 21st in passing yards per game (250.7) and 23rd in total offense per game (267.9).

Johnson has a pair of 300-yard passing games this season, with a season-high 379 against Maine. He's also thrown for four or more touchdowns on four occasions, including his JMU-record six on Oct. 30 against Elon.

He was one of 34 players selected to the list, with the winner being announced on Jan. 12, 2022. All FCS players are eligible for the award, which is a 22-inch K-9 optic crystal tower with an eight-inch crystal football on top.

2021 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Midseason Watch List
Darius Hale (RB), Central Arkansas
Breylin Smith (QB), Central Arkansas
Derek Kyler (QB), Dartmouth
Louis Colosimo (QB), Davidson
Eric Barriere (QB), Eastern Washington
Dennis Merritt (RB), Eastern Washington
Davis Cheek (QB), Elon
Quay Holmes (RB), ETSU
Tim DeMorat (QB), Fordham
Cameron Ward (QB), Incarnate Word
Shedeur Sanders (QB), Jackson State
Cole Johnson (QB), JMU
Xavier Shepherd (QB), Kennesaw State
Fred Davis (RB), Mercer
Jason Shelley (QB), Missouri State
Cam Humphrey (QB), Montana
Isaiah Ifanse (RB), Montana State
Matthew McKay (QB), Montana State
Lindsey Scott (QB), Nicholls
Juwan Carter (QB), Norfolk State
Cam Miller (QB), North Dakota State
Theo Day (QB), Northern Iowa
Kasim Hill (QB), Rhode Island
Jake Dunniway (QB), Sacramento State
Malik Grant (RB), Sacred Heart
Eric Schmid (QB), Sam Houston
Carson Camp (QB), South Dakota
Chris Oladokun (QB), South Dakota State
Pierre Strong, Jr. (RB), South Dakota State
Cole Kelley (QB), Southeastern Louisiana
Nic Baker (QB), Southern Illinois
Xavier Gipson (WR), Stephen F. Austin
Keon Howard (QB), UT Martin
Daniel Smith (QB), Villanova

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