Valparaiso sophomore running back Jake Hutson (Blanchard, Mich./Montabella) is among 30 players nationwide who have been named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) preseason watch list for its FCS All-Purpose Performer of the Year award.

"Jake is well deserving of this honor," said Crusader head coach Dale Carlson. "He is the perfect back for our offense, in that he is a threat both running and receiving.. In addition, he is skilled in the return game as he is an excellent player in space."

Hutson closed out his rookie campaign in 2012 with 753 rushing yards, the highest single-season total by a Crusader since 2008 and fourth-most among FCS freshmen. He also caught 35 passes for 266 yards and averaged nearly 20 yards per kick return and over 12 yards per punt return. Hutson led all PFL freshmen in a number of categories, including rushing yards/game (68.5), all-purpose yards/game (110.5) and offensive touchdowns (8).

Hutson earned national recognition last year following a 248-yard day against Campbell, earning FCS National Freshman of the Week honors from The Sports Network and earning a spot on the Jerry Rice Award watch list for the FCS national freshman of the year. He received the nod as the PFL Offensive Freshman of the Year in voting from the league's coaches and was College Sports Madness' PFL Freshman of the Year.