Andrew Luck will compete against Robert Griffin III for the 2012 Pepsi Max NFL Rookie of the Year award.
DOUG MARTIN (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Martin broke onto the scene with several impressive performances throughout the 2012 regular season. In a Week 9 contest against the Oakland Raiders, Martin erupted rushing for 251 yards and four touchdowns. He finished the season fifth in the NFL in rushing with 1,454 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on the ground. His 1,926 yards from scrimmage trails only running backs ERIC DICKERSON and EDGERRIN JAMES for the most ever by a rookie. Martin, who was drafted 31st overall out of Boise State, was a candidate for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week five times, winning the award once.
ALFRED MORRIS (Washington Redskins) – The 173rd pick overall in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic, Morris led all rookie running backs in yardage. He finished the season with a franchise record 1,613 yards, second-most in the NFL among all running backs and third-most all-time by a rookie behind Dickerson (1,808) and GEORGE ROGERS (1,674). Morris also accounted for 13 touchdowns helping push the Redskins into the playoffs for the first time since 2007. He was nominated for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week five times, winning three times.
RUSSELL WILSON (Seattle Seahawks) – Selected in the third round out of Wisconsin, Wilson caught the eye of head coach PETE CARROLL and Seahawks fans alike for his proficient play in the preseason, thus propelling him into the starting role for all 16 regular season games. Relying on his arm and legs, Wilson led the Seahawks to 11 wins and back into the playoffs. He finished the season throwing for 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns and a 100.0 passer rating which was fourth best in the NFL. Wilson’s 26 touchdown passes tied the NFL’s single season record by a rookie set in 1998 by PEYTON MANNING. The Seahawks finished the year 8-0 at home which established Wilson as the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to lead his team to an undefeated home record. He was nominated for Pepsi MAX NFL Rookie of the Week eight times, winning the award once.
This is Pepsi’s eleventh year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the eleventh year that Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
