CHARLESTON, S.C. – North Carolina Central University's Adrian Wilkins has earned a spot on the 2014 CFPA Kickoff Returner Award Watch List, as announced by College Football Performance Awards.

"Congratulations to 2013 CFPA winner Adrian Wilkins on earning a spot on the 2014 CFPA Watch List," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "NCCU was brilliant in the return game last season. Wilkins will likely play a significant special teams role for NCCU this season, as well."

The initial watch list includes 40 returning performers, vying for the top kickoff returner award in the Football Championship Subdivision. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.

The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferment in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections.

CFPA is now in its seventh season of recognition, utilizing objective rankings of player and team performance from its data index since 2008. Its player and team performance index is broken down by offense, defense, and special teams.

Last season, CFPA honored Adrian Wilkins and the NCCU Special Teams unit for its nation-best return performance in 2013.

The full list of 2014 CFPA winners will be announced Jan. 14, 2015.  For more information, visit www.collegefootballperformance.com.