• Complete Walter Payton Award Release
Southeast Missouri senior running back
Geno Hess and UT Martin graduate student quarterback
Keon Howard are two of the 25 finalists for the Walter Payton Award, presented by Stats Perform to the FCS National Offensive Player of the Year.
In 10 games this season (he missed the final game due to injury) Hess ran for an OVC-best 1,115 yards and 14 touchdowns, after leading the FCS in rushing touchdowns (12) in 2020. Hess ranks seventh nationally in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards, 11th in total touchdowns (11), 16th in scoring (8.4 points/game), 20th in all-purpose yards (118.40/game) and 32nd in rushing yards/carry (5.52). He ran for a season-best 205 yards and three touchdowns against Tennessee State and had seven games with 100-plus rushing yards (including in the last five games of the regular season).
In his first year after transferring from Tulane, Howard guided UT Martin to its first OVC Championship and playoff berth since 2006, leading the Skyhawks to a 9-2 overall record (5-1 OVC mark). In 10 games (he missed the regular season finale), he accounted for 2,285 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns. Howard completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 1,811 yard and 15 touchdowns and carried the ball 95 times for 474 yards (5.0 ypc) and 10 scores. He ran for multiple touchdowns in four games and threw for multiple scores in four contests. Howard currently ranks 24th nationally in rushing touchdowns, 27th in points responsible for/game (13.6), 40th in passing touchdowns and 50th in total offense (207.7 yards/game).
The Payton Award, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back. Two previous winners have come from the OVC, Eastern Illinois quarterbacks Tony Romo (2002) and Jimmy Garoppolo (2013). A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
Also this season, Stats Perform will present the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), the Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), the Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
2021 WALTER PAYTON AWARD FINALISTS
Eric Barriere, QB, Eastern Washington (Big Sky)
BJ Byrd, WR, Morehead State (Pioneer)
Juwan Carter, QB, Norfolk State (MEAC)
Davis Cheek, QB, Elon (CAA)
Jake Chisholm, RB, Dayton (Pioneer)
Tim DeMorat, QB, Fordham (Patriot)
Dai’Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls (Southland)
Xavier Gipson, WR, Stephen F. Austin (AQ7)
Aqeel Glass, QB, Alabama A&M (SWAC)
Malik Grant, RB, Sacred Heart (Northeast)
Geno Hess, RB, Southeast Missouri (OVC)
Quay Holmes, RB, ETSU (Southern)
Keon Howard, QB, UT Martin (OVC)
Tyler Hudson, WR, Central Arkansas (AQ7)
Isaiah Ifanse, RB, Montana State (Big Sky)
Cole Johnson, QB, James Madison (CAA)
Cole Kelley, QB, Southeastern Louisiana (Southland)
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (MVFC)
E.J. Perry, QB, Brown (Ivy)
Eric Schmid, QB, Sam Houston (AQ7)
Jason Shelley, QB, Missouri State (MVFC)
Xavier Shepherd, QB, Kennesaw State (Big South)
Pierre Strong Jr., RB, South Dakota State (MVFC)
Cameron Ward, QB, UIW (Southland)
Liam Welch, QB, Samford (Southern)