5 Preseason Favorites For The 2025 Walter Payton Award

As a Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll voter and national awards voter, I believe it’s important to be transparent about my voting and reasoning.

I’ll publish my weekly Top 25 ballot every Sunday or Monday, and I’ll also provide a midseason update on who I have my eye on for major awards like the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) and the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year).

Here are my preseason favorites for the Walter Payton Award. These are players I’m projecting to be top finalists by the end of the season.

Last year, three of my top five preseason favorites finished in the final top five of voting (Tommy Mellott, Cam Miller, Lan Larison).

2025 Walter Payton Award Favorites

5. Montana RB Eli Gillman

Gillman’s legs could be utilized more this fall behind an experienced offensive line and with unknowns in the passing game. He’s already had two tremendous seasons as a redshirt freshman and sophomore. In 2023, he rushed for 968 yards and 12 TDs on 194 carries. Gillman earned All-Big Sky Second Team accolades, was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year, and won the Jerry Rice Award. Last fall, he ran 167 times for 1,104 yards and 15 TDs, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. The 6-foot and 208-pounder also had 18 receptions for 176 yards and two scores. Gillman was recognized on the All-Big Sky Second Team and was PFF’s No. 12-graded FCS running back.

4. South Dakota RB Charles Pierre Jr.

USD QB Aidan Bouman could easily be on this list. But the Yotes look to be a run-first team, and Pierre will shoulder more carries with the graduation of Travis Theis. Pierre was electric last season. The 5-foot-10 and 210-pound Florida native rushed 167 times for 1,244 yards and 16 scores, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Pierre also had 19 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He finished as PFF’s No. 5-graded FCS running back while being recognized on the All-MVFC First Team and three All-American teams.

3. North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance

Lance may not be a statistical leader among FCS wide receivers this year due to NDSU’s offensive style and unknown quarterback play (Cam Miller had one of the best seasons in NDSU history last fall). But he’s the most talented offensive player in the subdivision and should produce at a high level. A potential Top 100 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-3 and 209-pounder racked up 75 receptions for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns (No. 1 in the FCS) in 2024, earning All-MVFC First Team honors. Lance’s presence was massive in the postseason. He had five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown vs. Abilene Christian, five receptions for 73 yards and two TDs vs. Mercer, six catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns vs. South Dakota State, and caught nine passes for 107 yards and a touchdown against Montana State.

2. SFA QB Sam Vidlak

Vidlak was one of the top FCS quarterbacks last year after arriving from Montana. Despite missing three games due to injury, he threw for 2,387 yards, 27 touchdowns, and four interceptions on 174-of-257 passing (67.7%). Vidlak had the No. 3 FCS passing efficiency (177.3) and graded out as PFF’s No. 21 FCS QB. He was recognized on the All-Southland Second Team while being named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year. With his top six wide receivers returning, Vidlak is set for a huge season.

1. Monmouth QB Derek Robertson

Robertson is a back-to-back All-CAA selection and is coming off an All-American season. In 2023 at Maine, he finished 258/404 for 2,933 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, earning All-CAA Honorable Mention accolades. Robertson transferred to Monmouth before last season and put together a phenomenal season. He went 283/435 for 3,937 yards, 31 touchdowns, and six interceptions, finishing No. 7 in FCS passing efficiency (161.8) and was PFF’s No. 4-graded FCS QB. He earned All-CAA First Team accolades, was named on four All-American teams, and finished sixth in the Walter Payton Award voting. Robertson may surpass those numbers this fall as his top six pass-catchers all return.