Stats Perform has released its watchlist for the Walter Payton Award and it features Grambling State quarterback Myles Crawley and Howard running back Jarett Hunter.
In his first season at Grambling State, after transferring from Alabama State, Crawley recorded 2,303 passing yards, completed 60% of his passes, and threw 16 touchdowns.
He made a great first impression in his season opener against Hampton, passing for a season-high 302 yards with a 66% completion percentage.
Crawley enters the 2024 season as the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Heisman of the FCS: 35 Standouts on 2024 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List
Hunter, on the other hand, is the MEAC’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, looking to guide the Howard Bison to their second straight MEAC championship.
The Bison running back recorded 626 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, along with 26 receptions for 257 yards and two touchdowns in the 2023 season.
He is looking to become the first running back to win MEAC Offensive Player of the Year since Tarik Cohen in 2016.
The award, named after former Jackson State Tigers running back Walter Payton, is given to the top offensive player in the FCS.
Since its inception in 1987, only two HBCU players have ever won the award, the last being Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair in 1994.
