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WACO, Texas- Stats Perform has announced a 30-player preseason watch list for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football with a pair of Jackson State student-athletes named to the list.
 
The award, in its 39th season and affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career.

Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp; Montana State’s Tommy Mellott was last season’s winner.
 
All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes nine past finalists. This season’s recipient will be announced at the Stats Perform National Awards Presentation on Jan. 3, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
 
The 2025 Walter Payton Award preseason watch list:
 
Quarterbacks
Aidan Bouman, South Dakota, R-Sr., 6-5, 225 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Jaden Craig, Harvard, Sr., 6-2, 215 (Ivy League) – 2024 Finalist
Quincy Crittendon, Samford, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Southern Conference)
Taron Dickens, Western Carolina, R-So., 5-11, 180 (Southern Conference)
Victor Gabalis, Tarleton State, Sr., 6-3, 210 (United Athletic Conference)
Ethan Greenwood, LIU, R-Jr., 6-0, 193 (Northeast Conference)
JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, Grad, 6-4, 227 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Derek Robertson, Monmouth, R-Sr., 6-2, 200 (CAA Football) – 2024 Finalist
Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell, Fifth Year, 6-0, 210 (Patriot League) – 2024 Finalist
Sam Vidlak, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 207 (Southland Conference) – 2024 Finalist
 
Running Backs
Mari Adams, Davidson, Sr., 5-11, 210 (Pioneer Football League) – 2024 Finalist
David Avit, Villanova, So., 6-0, 220 (CAA Football)
Jamar Curtis, Sacramento State, Sr., 5-8, 169 (Big Sky Conference) – 2023 and 2024 Finalist
Roland Dempster, Stony Brook, R-Sr., 6-0, 225 (CAA Football) – 2024 Finalist
Eli Gillman, Montana, R-Jr., 6-0, 208 (Big Sky Conference)
Steve Hall, Lindenwood, So., 5-9, 195 (OVC-Big South Football Association)
Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut State, Sr., 5-11, 176 (Northeast Conference) – 2024 Finalist
Adam Jones, Montana State, R-So., 6-1, 200 (Big Sky Conference)
Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Julius Loughridge, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-0, 215 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota, R-Jr., 5-10, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Travis Terrell Jr., Jackson State, So., 5-8, 165 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Wenkers Wright, Illinois State, Sr., 6-1, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
 
Wide Receivers
Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island, R-So., 6-4, 175 (CAA Football)
Kylon Harris, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-11, 160 (Southland Conference)
Bryce Lance, North Dakota State, R-Sr., 6-3, 209 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Samuel Musungu, Cornell, Jr., 6-1, 192 (Ivy League)
Treyvhon Saunders, Colgate, Sr., 5-10, 190 (Patriot League)
Daniel Sobkowicz, Illinois State, Sr., 6-3, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Jalen Walthall, UIW, R-Sr., 6-2, 180 (Southland Conference) – 2024 Finalist
 
The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists.
 
Also this season, the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be handed out at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Presentation.

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.