The Walter Payton Award honors the national offensive player of the year in FCS college football. This year’s preseason watch list reflects a deep, talented field of candidates heading toward the 2026 season and the award’s 40th anniversary.
A 40th anniversary celebration brings even more excitement to the Walter Payton Award.
Stats Perform has announced a 30-player preseason watch list for the Payton, presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
The iconic award, 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. Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 winner, returns this season, seeking to become the third two-time recipient after quarterbacks Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State, 2008-09) and Jeremiah Briscoe (Sam Houston State, 2016-17).
All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes 10 past finalists (each designated by an asterisk).
2026 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List
Quarterbacks
- *Keali’I Ah Yat, Montana, R-Jr., 6-1, 200 (Big Sky Conference)
- *Andrew Body, Alabama State, R-Sr., 6-0, 205 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
- *Beau Brungard, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-0, 215 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
- *Devin Farrell, Rhode Island, R-Sr., 6-0, 195 (CAA Football)
- *Collin Hurst, West Georgia, Jr., 5-10, 190 (United Athletic Conference)
- *Justin Lamson, Montana State, Sr., 6-2, 210 (Big Sky Conference)
- Chase Mason, South Dakota State, Gr., 6-4, 240 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
- *Chris Parson, Austin Peay, R-Jr., 5-11, 224 (United Athletic Conference)
- Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona, Sr., 6-2, 210 (Big Sky Conference)
- Dante Reno, Yale, Jr., 6-2, 205 (Ivy League)
- *DJ Williams, Southern Illinois, Sr., 6-3, 218 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Running Backs
- Dason Brooks, Idaho State, R-Sr., 5-11, 228 (Big Sky Conference)
- Ness Davis, Duquesne, R-Jr., 5-11, 200 (NEC Football)
- Victor Dawson, Illinois State, Sr., 5-11, 220 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
- MJ Flowers, Tennessee Tech, R-Sr., 6-1, 220 (Southern Conference)
- Eli Gillman, Montana, R-Sr., 6-0, 213 (Big Sky Conference)
- Carson Gresock, Gardner-Webb, R-Sr., 5-11, 215 (Ohio Valley Conference)
- Tylan Hines, Tarleton State, Sr., 5-7, 180 (United Athletic Conference)
- Adam Jones, Montana State, Jr., 6-1, 200 (Big Sky Conference)
- Ja’briel Mace, Villanova, Jr., 5-9, 175 (Patriot League)
- Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota, R-Sr., 5-10, 210 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
- *Luke Yoder, Lehigh, Sr., 5-11, 205 (Patriot League)
Wide Receivers
- *Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island, R-Sr., 6-4, 190 (CAA Football)
- Taco Dowler, Montana State, Sr., 5-9, 190 (Big Sky Conference)
- Samuel Gbatu Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-10, 185 (Big Sky Conference)
- Gavin Lochow, Dayton, Sr., 6-0, 185 (Pioneer Football League)
- Sam Milligan, Bucknell, Sr., 6-3, 220 (Patriot League)
- Bugs Mortimer, Stephen F. Austin, R-Sr., 5-10, 177 (Southland Conference)
- Chance Peterson, North Carolina Central, R-Jr., 5-8, 155 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
- Brayden Smith, Mercer, Jr., 5-10, 185 (Southern Conference)
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.
Stats Perform also presents 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.
