BELLEVUE, Wash. – University at Albany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger has been named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American, HERO Sports announced this afternoon.
 
In 11 games as a starter in 2022, Poffenbarger completed nearly 62% of his passes, throwing for 2,999 yards and 24 touchdowns against only four interceptions. At the end of the regular season, the six-time CAA Rookie of the Week shared the league lead for fewest interceptions, ranked second in total passing yards and passing yards per game, and tied for second in passing touchdowns.
 
Poffenbarger is the first offensive player from UAlbany to earn All-American honors since quarterback Jeff Undercuffler in the 2021 spring season. Defensive end Jared Verse collected the distinction the same year, and claimed the award once again following the 2021 fall season alongside teammate Jackson Ambush.
 
The quarterback from Maryland finished second in the 2022 Jerry Rice Award voting, given to the most outstanding freshman in the FCS. He was named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year and was placed on the All-CAA Third Team Offense. He is UAlbany's first Rookie of the Year of any kind since Verse won the award for defense following the spring 2021 season, and the first Offensive Rookie of the Year since Undercuffler won following the Great Danes' historic 2019 season.
 
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