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 5 for the Walter Payton Award. The winner will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.
5. Monmouth QB Derek Robertson
Robertson’s 3,937 passing yards (283/435, 65.1%) is No. 1 in the FCS while tossing 31 touchdowns to six interceptions. His 91.3 overall PFF grade is ranked No. 3 among FCS quarterbacks.
4. UC Davis RB Lan Larison
UC Davis’ do-it-all running back is a dual threat out of the backfield. Larison has rushed 255 times for 1,321 yards (5.2 YPC) and 14 TDs while hauling in 58 receptions for 755 yards and six touchdowns.
3. Southern Utah RB Targhee Lambson
Lambson leads the FCS with 1,921 rushing yards and is No. 2 in rushing touchdowns (23). He averaged 6.0 yards per carry, toting the rock 320 times. Lambson’s 94.7 overall PFF grade is No. 1 among FCS running backs and is No. 2 out of all D1 RBs, trailing Ashton Jeanty’s 95.2.
2. Montana State QB Tommy Mellott
In 670 total offensive snaps, Mellott completed 68.7% of his passes (149/217) for 1,980 yards, 22 TDs, and one interception, plus 633 yards and 11 scores on the ground. His 177.3 passing efficiency ranked No. 3 in the FCS, and Mellott’s 93.0 overall PFF grade is No. 1 among FCS quarterbacks.
1. North Dakota State QB Cam Miller
In 683 total offensive snaps, Miller completed 74.2% of his passes (190/256) for 2,340 yards, 23 TDs, and one interception. He also rushed for 370 yards and seven TDs. Miller’s 179.9 passing efficiency ranks No. 1 in the FCS, while his 92.2 overall PFF grade is No. 2 among FCS QBs.
