Stats Perform 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
5. Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State QB
Sanders led JSU to an 11-0 regular season. The talent of the four-star high school recruit is on display as he completed 70.1% of his passes for 3,083 yards, 32 TDs, and six interceptions with five rushing scores.
4. Jaden Shirden, Monmouth RB
Shirden is the next in a long line of great Monmouth RBs. He was unstoppable at times, averaging 8.4 yards per carry and totaling 1,722 yards rushing and 13 TDs.
3. Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State RB
McLaughlin’s illustrious career, including two years at D2 Notre Dame College, saw him break the NCAA all-division record with 8,166 career rushing yards. This fall, he ran 227 times for 1,588 yards and 13 TDs.
2. Tim DeMorat, Fordham QB
DeMorat lit up defenses all season for the high-scoring Fordham offense. He went 301-of-458 passing for 4,573 yards, 53 TDs, and eight interceptions during the regular season.
1. Lindsey Scott Jr., UIW QB
UIW faced doubts after losing its head coach and star QB to Washington State. But the offense got even more explosive thanks to Scott transferring in from Nicholls. He completed 240-of-328 passes in the regular season for 3,791 yards, 50 TDs, and four interceptions while rushing for 342 yards and seven scores.
Buck Buchanan
5. Caleb Sanders, South Dakota State DT
Sanders may not have huge numbers (24 tackles, six TFLs, five sacks), but he was the most important player in SDSU’s No. 1 FCS rushing defense on the interior of the defensive line.
4. David Walker, Central Arkansas DE
Walker made a huge splash as a sophomore for UCA, racking up 66 tackles, 22 TFLs, 12 sacks, and three QB hurries.
3. BJ Davis, South Carolina State LB
Very few FCS players can impact a game like Davis can. He was everywhere, totaling 98 tackles, 11 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, seven pass breakups, two QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
2. Johnny Buchanan, Delaware LB
Buchanan has the perfect last name for this award. He was a tackling machine for one of the best FCS defenses during the regular season, recording 121 tackles and 5.5 TFLs.
1. Zeke Vandenburgh, Illinois State LB
Vandenburgh was a dominant force for Illinois State, making impact plays even with the full attention of offenses. He put up 100 tackles, 21 TFLs, 14 sacks, one INT., four pass breakups, four QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery while missing one game.
Jerry Rice
5. Reese Poffenbarger, UAlbany QB
Poffenbarger was a big bright spot for UAlbany, throwing for 2,999 yards, 24 TDs, and four interceptions.
4. Jalen Jones, William & Mary DB
Jones was excellent for a strong William & Mary defense, recording four interceptions and seven pass breakups.
3. Rex Connors, UC Davis DB
Connors was an impactful part of UC Davis’ defense, totaling 92 tackles, four TFLs, five interceptions, and five pass breakups.
2. Makai Jackson, Saint Francis WR
Jackson became an elite target, hauling in 80 receptions for 920 yards and eight TDs.
1. Gevani McCoy, Idaho QB
McCoy was a cool customer as a young QB, leading Idaho to the playoffs. During the regular season, he completed 68% of his passes for 2,376 yards, 25 TDs, and five interceptions.
Eddie Robinson
5. Mike London, William & Mary
London has turned around the William & Mary program into being a contender again. The Tribe are the No. 5 seed in the playoffs after a 10-1 regular season that featured an FBS win over Charlotte.
4. Troy Taylor, Sacramento State
Taylor continues to elevate Sac State to new heights, this time with an 11-0 regular-season record featuring an FBS win (Colorado State) and multiple ranked wins. The Hornets are the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
3. G.J. Kinne, UIW
Kinne took over the UIW program and made the Cardinals even better after last year’s breakthrough season. UIW went 10-1 in the regular season with an FBS win (Nevada) and is the No. 7 playoff seed.
2. John Stiegelmeier, South Dakota State
Stiegelmeier has turned SDSU from a good FCS program to a great FCS program. The Jacks are routinely in the top tier of the subdivision, and they went 10-0 vs. the FCS during this regular season to earn the No. 1 playoff seed.
1. Brent Vigen, Montana State
Last year, Vigen led MSU to the FCS title game in his debut season. A big group of talented seniors also led the way. Despite losing that historic senior class, MSU is even stronger this season and has overcome numerous key injuries throughout the year to be 10-0 vs. the FCS and the No. 4 seed in the playoffs.
