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. Braden Atkinson, Mercer, QB
In 10 games and 673 snaps, the true freshman finished 250/367 (68.1%) for 3,448 yards, 34 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 3,448 passing yards were No. 2 in the FCS regular season. Atkinson was PFF’s No. 3 graded FCS QB.
4. Joshua Dye, Southern Utah, RB
Dye led the FCS with 1,831 rushing yards on 295 attempts (6.2 yards per carry). His 28 rushing touchdowns were also No. 1 in the subdivision. Dye was PFF’s No. 6 graded FCS RB.
3. Taron Dickens, Western Carolina, QB
In nine games and 697 snaps, Dickens finished 271/365 (74.2%), for 3,508 yards, 38 TDs, and two interceptions, along with 321 rushing yards. His 3,508 passing yards led the FCS despite not playing in the first three games. Dickens was PFF’s No. 8 graded FCS QB.
2. Cole Payton, North Dakota State, QB
In 12 games and 631 snaps, Payton finished 157/212 (74.1%) for 2,618 yards, 15 TDs, and four interceptions while rushing for 791 yards and 13 TDs. Payton was PFF’s No. 1 graded FCS/FBS QB. He was real close to No. 1 on this ballot with his electric play and moments, plus not having to do much in the second half of games, which impacted his stats. But a 6:4 TD:INT ratio in MVFC play separated him from the guy below, who lit it up all year.
1. Beau Brungard, Youngstown State, QB
In 12 regular-season games and 716 snaps, Brungard went 254/368 (69.0%) for 2,917 yards, 23 TDs, and three interceptions while rushing for 1,378 yards and 24 scores. He finished No. 15 in FCS regular-season passing touchdowns, No. 10 in passing yards, No. 5 in rushing yards, and No. 2 in rushing touchdowns. And he did it against a Top 15 strength of schedule. Brungard was PFF’s No. 6 graded FCS QB.
Buck Buchanan Award
5. James Conway, Fordham, LB
Regular-season stats: 159 tackles, 8 TFLs, 5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, PFF’s No. 4 FCS LB (12 games)
4. Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana, DT
Regular-season stats: 38 tackles, 12 TFLs, 8 sacks, 4 QBH, 2 PBUs, PFF’s No. 5 FCS DT (12 games)
3. Lando Brown, Southern Utah, DE
Regular-season stats: 55 tackles, 18 TFLs, 14 sacks, 11 QBH, PFF’s No. 10 FCS DE (11 games)
2. Joshua Stoneking, Furman, DE
Regular-season stats: 79 tackles, 23 TFLs, 14.5 sacks, 2 FF, 9 QBH, 2 PBUs, PFF’s No. 12 FCS DE (12 games)
1. Andrew Zock, Mercer, DE
Regular-season stats: 41 tackles, 20 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, 2 FF, 22 QBH, 3 PBUs, PFF’s No. 3 FCS DE (11 games)
Jerry Rice Award
5. Brooks Davis, Montana, WR
Regular-season stats: 48 receptions, 611 yards, 5 TDs (12 games)
4. Lamont Lester Jr., Monmouth, DE
Regular-season stats: 37 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, 2 FF, 10 QBH, PFF’s No. 3 FCS DE (12 games)
3. Tre Page III, Tarleton State, RB
Regular-season stats: 112 carries, 839 yards, 7.5 YPC, 7 TDs (8 games)
2. Caden Pinnick, UC Davis, QB
Regular-season stats: 194/275 (70.5%), 2,527 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INT, 312 rush yards, 3 TDs (10 games)
1. Braden Atkinson, Mercer, QB
Regular-season stats: 250/367 (68.1%), 3,448 yards, 34 TDs, 7 INT, 1 rush TD, PFF’s No. 3 graded FCS QB (10 games)
Eddie Robinson Award
5. Mike Jacobs, Mercer
In two seasons as head coach, Jacobs has led Mercer to back-to-back SoCon titles. The Bears are 9-2 overall this year (9-1 vs. the FCS) and the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.
4. Kevin Cahill, Lehigh
Cahill has led Lehigh to its first 12-0 record since 2000. Lehigh is the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.
3. Tim Polasek, North Dakota State
NDSU is 12-0 and the No. 1 playoff seed. In two seasons as the head coach, Polasek is 26-2 overall with only one loss vs. the FCS.
2. Bobby Wilder, Tennessee Tech
TN Tech made huge strides this year under Wilder. In his first season last year, the Golden Eagles finished 7-5 and nearly made the playoffs. This season, they retained a lot of their talent while adding key pieces via the transfer portal, going 11-1 in the regular season with no FCS losses and appearing in the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
1. DeSean Jackson, Delaware State
In his first season as a college coach, Jackson did a dynamite coaching job, turning Delaware State from a 1-11 team last year to an 8-4 mark this fall. The Hornets finished 4-1 in MEAC play.
