Six players were named midseason additions to the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award Watch List on Wednesday.
The Payton Award, first awarded in 1987 and presented to the FCS offensive player of the year, has watched past winners such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, John Friesz, Brian Finneran, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp move on to the NFL. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on 25 finalists following the regular season.
The new nominees to the watch list are:
Keelan Doss, UC Davis, WR, R-Jr., 6-3, 206, Alameda, California
Ranks first in the FCS in receptions per game (9.3) and receiving yards per game (145) and second in receiving yards (870). Also has caught five touchdowns.
MORE: Wofford's Brandon Goodson knows how to win with passing game
Hayden Hildebrand, Central Arkansas, R-Sr., 6-3, 192, Bossier City, Louisiana
A four-touchdown performance against Sam Houston State has highlighted a season in which Hildebrand has completed over 68 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns.
Hayden Hildebrand named to watch list for Payton Award for FCS Offensive Player of the Year.
— UCAsports.com (@ucasports)
Josh Mack, Maine, RB, So., 6-1, 198, Rochester, New York
Bolstered by 255- and 248-yard rushing performances, Mack leads the FCS in rushing yards per game (154.4). He's scored five touchdowns.
Josh Mack added to
— Maine Football (@BlackBearsFB)
Walter Payton Award Watch List
Details:
Lamar Raynard, North Carolina A&T, QB, R-Jr., 6-4, 200, High Point, North Carolina
Raynard has led the Aggies to a 7-0 start as the FCS leader in passing efficiency (185.5) with 20 touchdown passes against only three interceptions.
. co-leader is chasing excellence. But rival could have say in the end.
— FCS Football (@FCS_STATS)
Chris Streveler, South Dakota, QB, R-Sr., 6-3, 215, Crystal Lake, Illinois
The Missouri Valley's 2016 newcomer of the year has risen to an even higher level with 25 total touchdowns (17 passing, eight rushing) in the No. 4 Coyotes' 6-0 start.
MORE: How a retired coach helped Columbia rise to the top
Roc Thomas, Jacksonville State, RB, R-Sr., 5-11, 193, Oxford, Alabama
The No. 1 offensive option for the Ohio Valley Conference power, Thomas has rushed for 553 yards and six touchdowns and is second on the team in receptions (11).
Preseason nominees for the watch list were quarterbacks Jeremiah Briscoe of Sam Houston State, Taryn Christion of South Dakota State, Case Cookus of Northern Arizona, Gage Gubrud of Eastern Washington, Devlin Hodges of Samford, DeVante Kincade of Grambling State, Kyle Lauletta of Richmond, Anthony Lawrence of San Diego, Tyrell Maxwell of Gardner-Webb and Bryan Schor of James Madison; running backs Chase Edmonds of Fordham, Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks of Albany, John Lovett of Princeton and Detrez Newsome of Western Carolina; fullback Joe Protheroe of Cal Poly; wide receivers Emmanuel Butler of Northern Arizona, Kamron Lewis of Saint Francis, Troy Pelletier of Lehigh, Justin Watson of Penn and Jake Wieneke of South Dakota State; tight end Dallas Goedert of South Dakota State; and offensive tackle Brandon Parker of North Carolina A&T.
Also this season, STATS 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.