Stats Perform has announced the finalists for the four national FCS awards: Walter Payton (best offensive player), Buck Buchanan (best defensive player), Jerry Rice (best freshman), and Eddie Robinson (coach of the year).
I am thankful to get a vote on these awards along with the Top 25 media poll. As I did with my Top 25 ballots, I will publish my award votes for full transparency.
Voters are asked to rank their top five among the list of finalists with No. 1 being their top choice.
Here are my top five for each award:
Walter Payton Award
5. Mercer WR Ty James
4. South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski
3. Monmouth RB Jaden Shirden
2. North Carolina Central QB Davius Richard
1. Holy Cross QB Matthew Sluka
Sluka is an absolute dog. A feared offensive player who sometimes willed his team to victories, he can get it done with his arm and his legs. Graded as the No. 1 or 2 FCS QB on PFF for most of the season, Sluka went 122/197 passing (62%) for 1,728 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions while rushing 186 times for 1,247 yards (6.7 YPC) and nine scores. Sluka did this while missing most of two games late in the season while battling an injury.
Buck Buchanan Award
5. McNeese LB Micah Davey
4. Southern Illinois S PJ Jules
3. UAlbany LB Dylan Kelly
2. Gardner-Webb DE Ty French
1. Tennessee State DE Terrell Allen
Allen wrecked offensive lines all season, totaling 65 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 10 QB hurries. The 6-foot, 275-pounder had at least one TFL in 10 of 11 games, including six games with multiple TFLs.
Jerry Rice Award
5. Montana State OL Conner Moore
4. South Carolina State RB Jawarn Howell
3. Illinois State LB Tye Niekamp
2. Campbell WR VJ Wilkins
1. Montana RB Eli Gillman
Gillman is an instrumental part of Montana’s offensive success. He is physically impressive at 6-foot and 206 pounds and offers explosiveness as well. In the regular season, Gillman rushed 152 times for 857 yards and 10 TDs.
Eddie Robinson Award
5. Austin Peay’s Scotty Walden
4. Furman’s Clay Hendrix
3. UAlbany’s Greg Gattuso
2. Montana’s Bobby Hauck
1. South Dakota’s Bob Nielson
A year ago, many questioned why USD was bringing back Nielson as head coach. The Coyotes finished 3-8, including an ugly 58-14 home loss to UNI to end the season. But things turned around in a hurry this fall, and USD did it with the same players instead of loading up on transfers. The Yotes finished the regular season 9-2 overall and 9-1 vs. the FCS with four ranked wins, three over Top 10 teams. They are the No. 3 seed in the FCS playoffs.
