Stats Perform FCS Release 

CHICAGO- Eleven players were added on Wednesday to the watch list for the 2021 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
 
Highlighting the list of selections is Jackson State Quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This past weekend he completed 25-for-41 passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Tigers 41-21 win over Texas Southern. His performance throughout this season has JSU on the verge of clinching its first Eastern Division title since the 2013 season.
 
He has thrown 23 touchdown passes this season and moved into sole possession of eighth place in touchdown passes in a season at JSU. Sanders is completing 67.35 percent of his passes, which ranks first in the SWAC.
 
The Payton Award, celebrating its 35^th anniversary season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.
 
Nominated to the watch list:
 
Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State
Davis Alexander, Portland State
Ren Hefley, Presbyterian
Keon Howard, UT Martin
Cole Johnson, James Madison
Jason Shelley, Missouri State
Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State
 
Running Back
Malik Grant, Sacred Heart
Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State
 
Wide Receiver
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin
 
Offensive Line
Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
 
The original watch list in the preseason included 35 players (tinyurl.com/asvnw976). A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner following the regular season.
 
Also this season, Stats Perform will present 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) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
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.