2020-21 WALTER PAYTON AWARD FINALISTS | The 16 finalists are….

Today, 16 prospects were announced for the Walter Payton Award. The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors.

Let’s look at the top 16!

1. Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison, RB, Sr. (CAA)

Statistics: 69 carries, 381 yards, 5.5 ypc, 5 TDs; 4 receptions (4 games)

2. Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington, QB, Sr. (Big Sky)

Statistics: 166 of 268 (61.9 percent), 2,193 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs; 135 rush yards (6 games)

3. Julius Chestnut, Sacred Heart, RB, Jr. (Northeast)

Statistics: 93 carries, 717 yards, 7.7 ypc, 8 TDs; 8 receptions, 171 yards, 3 TDs (4 games)

4. Tim DeMorat, Fordham, QB, Jr. (Patriot)

Statistics: 93 of 129 (72.1 percent), 1,049 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs; 2 rush TDs (3 games)

5. Juwon Farri, Monmouth, RB, Jr. (Big South)

Statistics: 79 carries, 422 yards, 5.3 ypc, 9 TD (3 games)

6. Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M, QB, Sr. (SWAC)

Statistics: 67 of 113 (59.3 percent), 1,084 yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs; 1 rush TD (3 games)

7. Jakob Herres, VMI, WR, Jr. (Southern)

Statistics: 67 receptions, 807 yards, 12.0 ypc, 7 TDs (7 games)

8. Quay Holmes, ETSU, RB, Jr. (Southern)

Statistics: 122 carries, 640 yards, 5.2 ypc, 8 TDs; 182.3 all-purpose ypg (6 games)

9. Tyler Hudson, Central Arkansas, WR, So. (Southland)

Statistics: 50 receptions, 845 yards, 16.9 ypc, 7 TDs; 15 punt returns, 119 yards, 1 TD (9 games)

10. Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana, QB, Sr. (Southland)

Statistics: 210 of 305 (68.9 percent), 2,662 yards, 18 TDs, 4 INTs; 7 TD runs; 2 TD catches (7 games)

11. Dejoun Lee, Delaware, RB, Sr. (CAA)

Statistics: 77 carries, 498 yards, 6.5 ypc, 5 TDs; 87-yard KR TD; 152.2 all-purpose ypg (5 games)

12. Keith Pearson, Presbyterian, WR, Sr. (Pioneer)

Statistics: 65 receptions, 831 yards, 12.8 ypc, 5 TDs; 6 punt returns, 90 yards (7 games)

13. Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State, RB, Jr. (Missouri Valley)

Statistics: 80 carries, 453 yards, 5.7 ypc, 2 TDs; 12 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD (5 games)

14. Otis Weah, North Dakota, RB, So. (Missouri Valley)

Statistics: 76 carries, 570 yards, 7.5 ypc, 7 TDs (5 games)

15. Liam Welch, Samford, QB, Grad (Southern)

Statistics: 161 of 236 (68.2 percent), 2,242 yards, 12 TDs, 5 INTs; 303 rush yards, 4 TDs (6 games)

16. DeAngelo Wilson, Austin Peay, WR, Sr. (Ohio Valley)

Statistics: 44 receptions, 619 yards, 14.1 ypc, 3 TDs (7 games)