Walter Payton Award
Encyclopedia
The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) of college football
as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors. The honor was first given in 1987 to the outstanding player in the division, but in 1995, eligibility was restricted to offensive players, as the Buck Buchanan Award
for defensive players was inaugurated.
The trophy was named in honor of the late National Football League
(NFL) legend Walter Payton
, who starred at Jackson State University
. Both the Payton and Buchanan Awards are awarded by The Sports Network
the night before the annual NCAA Division I Football Championship.
Among the many schools in the division, only six schools have won it twice: Appalachian State
, Colgate
, Georgia Southern
, Idaho
, New Hampshire
, and Villanova
. In 2009, Armanti Edwards
from Appalachian State became the first player to receive the award twice.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors. The honor was first given in 1987 to the outstanding player in the division, but in 1995, eligibility was restricted to offensive players, as the Buck Buchanan Award
Buck Buchanan Award
The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football, and was first given in 1995 after the Walter Payton Award was designated solely for offensive players.The trophy was named in honor of the...
for defensive players was inaugurated.
The trophy was named in honor of the late National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) legend Walter Payton
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
, who starred at Jackson State University
Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
. Both the Payton and Buchanan Awards are awarded by The Sports Network
The Sports Network (wire service)
Based in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, The Sports Network is a wire service providing sports information in real time. Their Web site claims that they are "the largest privately owned international sports information service in North America and possibly the world"...
the night before the annual NCAA Division I Football Championship.
Among the many schools in the division, only six schools have won it twice: Appalachian State
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...
, Colgate
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
, Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a national public university located on a campus in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1906, it is part of the University System of Georgia and is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia offering 117 academic majors in a comprehensive...
, Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
, New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
, and Villanova
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
. In 2009, Armanti Edwards
Armanti Edwards
Armanti Fredrico Edwards is an American football player for the Carolina Panthers. He was the starting quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team from 2006–09. He was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
from Appalachian State became the first player to receive the award twice.
Winners
| Year | Player | School | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 1987 in sports 1987 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Maria Walliser, Switzerland-American football:... |
Kenny Gamble Kenny Gamble (football player) Kenneth Patrick Gamble is a former American football running back who played for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League from 1988–1990. He was an All-American running back for Colgate University and won the first-ever Walter Payton Award as the best player in Division I-AA in... |
Colgate | Running Back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
| 1988 1988 in sports 1988 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Michela Figini, Switzerland-American football:... |
Dave Meggett Dave Meggett David Lee Meggett is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants , New England Patriots , and the New York Jets . He played college football at Morgan State University and Towson University... |
Towson Towson Tigers The Towson Tigers, formerly Towson College Knights, are the athletics teams of Towson University. All of the major athletic teams compete in the Colonial Athletic Association with 20 Division I athletic teams The Towson Tigers, formerly Towson College Knights, are the athletics teams of Towson... |
Running Back |
| 1989 1989 in sports 1989 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:... |
John Friesz John Friesz John Melvin "Deep" Friesz is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots.... |
Idaho Idaho Vandals football The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I... |
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... |
| 1990 1990 in sports 1990 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland-American football:... |
Walter Dean Walter Dean Walter Kevin Dean is an American former football running back. He played college football for the at Grambling State University. In his senior year, he led the nation in rushing and won the 1990 Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding player in Division I-AA football... |
Grambling Grambling State Tigers football The Grambling State Tigers are the college football team representing the Grambling State University. The Tigers play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.-Black College Football National Championships:... |
Running Back |
| 1991 1991 in sports 1991 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:... |
Jamie Martin | Weber State Weber State University Weber State University is a public university located in the city of Ogden in Weber County, Utah, USA. It was founded in 1889 and is a coeducational, publicly supported university offering professional, liberal arts and technical certificates, as well as associate, bachelor's and master's degrees... |
Quarterback |
| 1992 1992 in sports 1992 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup* Men's overall season champion: Paul Accola, Switzerland* Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:... |
Michael Payton Michael Payton Michael Payton is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd at Marshall University. He was the recipient of the 1992 Walter Payton Award, which is bestowed annually upon Division I-AA's most outstanding player... |
Marshall Marshall Thundering Herd football The Marshall Thundering Herd football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Marshall University. The team represents the university as a member of the Conference USA Eastern division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision... |
Quarterback |
| 1993 1993 in sports 1993 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Anita Wachter, Austria-American football:... |
Doug Nussmeier Doug Nussmeier Douglas Keith "Doug" Nussmeier is a college football coach, currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Washington under head coach Steve Sarkisian.... |
Idaho Idaho Vandals football The Idaho Vandals are a college football team that represents the University of Idaho. The Vandals currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I... |
Quarterback |
| 1994 1994 in sports 1994 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* January 29 – death of Ulrike Maier , Austrian skier, who broke her neck when she crashed during a World Cup downhill race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen... |
Steve McNair Steve McNair Stephen LaTreal McNair was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans.... |
Alcorn State Alcorn State University Alcorn State University is an historically black university comprehensive land-grant institution in Lorman, Mississippi. It was founded in 1871-History:... |
Quarterback |
| 1995 1995 in sports 1995 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Alberto Tomba, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:... |
Dave Dickenson Dave Dickenson David Dickenson is a former professional Canadian football player with the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions. Dickenson also played quarterback collegiately at the University of Montana, where he led the Montana Grizzlies to the 1995 NCAA I-AA college football championship.-High school... |
Montana Montana Grizzlies football The Montana Grizzlies football program represents the University of Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football. The Grizzlies have competed in the Big Sky Conference, where it is a founding member, since 1963... |
Quarterback |
| 1996 1996 in sports 1996 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:... |
Archie Amerson Archie Amerson Archie Amerson is a former running back in the Canadian Football League, spending most of his career with the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.... |
Northern Arizona Northern Arizona University Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of... |
Running Back |
| 1997 1997 in sports 1997 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Luc Alphand, France** Women's overall season champion: Pernilla Wiberg, Sweden-American football:... |
Brian Finneran Brian Finneran Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998... |
Villanova Villanova Wildcats football The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision . The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,500.-History:... |
Wide Receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
| 1998 1998 in sports 1998 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:... |
Jerry Azumah Jerry Azumah Jerry Azumah is a former professional American football cornerback for the Chicago Bears.Azumah was selected as the 147th pick of the 1999 NFL Draft out of the University of New Hampshire where he won the Walter Payton Award as the best offensive player in Division I-AA football. He attended Saint... |
New Hampshire New Hampshire Wildcats The New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white... |
Running Back |
| 1999 1999 in sports 1999 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria-American football:... |
Adrian Peterson | Georgia Southern Georgia Southern Eagles football The Georgia Southern Eagles represent Georgia Southern University in football as part of the Southern Conference under head coach Jeff Monken. The Eagles have won an unprecedented six FCS national championships and eight Southern Conference championships and have produced two Walter Payton Award... |
Running Back |
| 2000 2000 in sports 2000 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Renate Götschl, Austria-American football:... |
Louis Ivory Louis Ivory Louis Ivory is a former American college football running back. He played for Furman. He grew up 140 miles from Division I-AA powerhouse Georgia Southern, which did not recruit him. He instead attended rival Furman. In 2000, Ivory recorded 2,079 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 286 carries... |
Furman | Running Back |
| 2001 2001 in sports 2001 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:... |
Brian Westbrook Brian Westbrook Brian Collins Westbrook is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football at Villanova... |
Villanova Villanova Wildcats football The Villanova Wildcats football program represents Villanova University in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision . The Wildcats play at Villanova Stadium with capacity of 12,500.-History:... |
Running Back |
| 2002 2002 in sports 2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria-American football:... |
Tony Romo Tony Romo Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005... |
Eastern Illinois | Quarterback |
| 2003 2003 in sports 2003 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season championship: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season championship: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:... |
Jamaal Branch Jamaal Branch Jamaal Branch is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Colgate University.-Early life and education:... |
Colgate | Running Back |
| 2004 2004 in sports 2004 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* College football Bowl Championship Series :**January 1 – Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14... |
Lang Campbell Lang Campbell Lang Campbell is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League. He was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005... |
William & Mary William & Mary Tribe football The William & Mary Tribe are a college football team representing the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. William & Mary currently competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision. As of 2010, Jimmye Laycock is in his 31st... |
Quarterback |
| 2005 2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season The 2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season, part of the college football season, began on September 1, 2005 and concluded on December 16, 2005 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers to win the NCAA Division I-AA Football... |
Erik Meyer Erik Meyer Erik Meyer is a professional American football quarterback who is currently playing for the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Eastern Washington.Meyer has also been a member of the... |
Eastern Washington Eastern Washington University Eastern Washington University is an American public, coeducational university located in Cheney, Washington.Founded in 1882, the university is academically divided into four colleges: Arts and Letters; Business and Public Administration; Science, Health and Engineering; and Social & Behavioral... |
Quarterback |
| 2006 2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season The 2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began on August 26, 2006 and concluded on December 15, 2006 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen to win the NCAA Division I Football... |
Ricky Santos Ricky Santos Ricky Santos is an American Canadian football quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008... |
New Hampshire New Hampshire Wildcats The New Hampshire Wildcats, or Cats, are the athletic teams of the University of New Hampshire. The wildcat is the school's official mascot, the colors are UNH Blue and white... |
Quarterback |
| 2007 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season The 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began on August 25, 2007 and concluded on December 14, 2007 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens to win the NCAA Division I Football... |
Jayson Foster Jayson Foster Jayson D. Foster is an American football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008... |
Georgia Southern Georgia Southern Eagles football The Georgia Southern Eagles represent Georgia Southern University in football as part of the Southern Conference under head coach Jeff Monken. The Eagles have won an unprecedented six FCS national championships and eight Southern Conference championships and have produced two Walter Payton Award... |
Quarterback |
| 2008 2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season The 2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began on August 28, 2008 and concluded on December 19, 2008 in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Football Championship game, where the Richmond Spiders defeated the Montana Grizzlies to... |
Armanti Edwards Armanti Edwards Armanti Fredrico Edwards is an American football player for the Carolina Panthers. He was the starting quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team from 2006–09. He was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft... |
Appalachian State Appalachian State Mountaineers football The Appalachian State Mountaineers football team is the college football team at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. The Mountaineers have competed in the Southern Conference since 1972, and are currently a Division I Football Championship Subdivision member of the National... |
Quarterback |
| 2009 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season The 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began in August 2009 and concluded with the national championship game on December 18, 2009 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, won by Villanova 23–21 over Montana.-Rule changes for 2009:The NCAA football rules committee... |
Armanti Edwards Armanti Edwards Armanti Fredrico Edwards is an American football player for the Carolina Panthers. He was the starting quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team from 2006–09. He was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft... (2) |
Appalachian State Appalachian State Mountaineers football The Appalachian State Mountaineers football team is the college football team at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. The Mountaineers have competed in the Southern Conference since 1972, and are currently a Division I Football Championship Subdivision member of the National... |
Quarterback |
| 2010 2010 NCAA Division I FCS football season The 2010 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began in September 2010 and concluded with the national championship game on January 7, 2011 won by Eastern Washington... |
Jeremy Moses | Stephen F. Austin | Quarterback |
Past finalists
- 2005: Erik MeyerErik MeyerErik Meyer is a professional American football quarterback who is currently playing for the Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Eastern Washington.Meyer has also been a member of the...
of Eastern Washington, Ricky Santos of New Hampshire and Nick Hartigan of Brown University. - 2006: Ricky SantosRicky SantosRicky Santos is an American Canadian football quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
of New Hampshire, Jason Murietta of Northern Arizona and Arkee WhitlockArkee WhitlockArkee Whitlock is a professional American and Canadian football running back who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
of Southern Illinois - 2007: Jayson FosterJayson FosterJayson D. Foster is an American football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
of Georgia Southern, Eric Sanders of Northern Iowa and Josh JohnsonJosh Johnson (American football)Josh Johnson is an American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He played college football quarterback for the University of San Diego Toreros. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
of San Diego - 2008: Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State Rodney LandersRodney LandersRodney Landers is an American football player. He played college football as the starting quarterback for the James Madison Dukes of James Madison University . He was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft, where due to his speed and flexibility he had been considered a potential defensive back,...
of James Madison and Herb DonaldsonHerb DonaldsonHerb Donaldson is an American football running back who is currently a Tennessee Titans. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints in 2009...
of Western Illinois - 2009: Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State, Terrell HudginsTerrell HudginsTerrell Hudgins is an American football wide receiver and is currently a free agent. Hudgins played college football at Elon University and was temporarily a member of the Dallas Cowboys off-season/practice squad before being signed by the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.-Early life:He...
of Elon College and Deji KarimDeji KarimIn July 2010, Karim signed a 4-year $1.9 million dollar deal with the Jaguars.-2010 Season:During the 2010 season Deji Karim was used primarily as a returner and was the Jaguars 3rd running back on the depth Chart. Karim had 50 kick returns and averaged 25 yards per return. On limited carries he...
of Southern Illinois - 2010: Matt BarrMatt Barr (American football)Matt Barr is an American football quarterback with the Western Illinois Leathernecks football team. During the 2010 season, Barr threw for 3,410 yards 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 13 games. He also ran for 675 yards and 7 touchdowns...
of Western Illinois, DeAndre PresleyDeAndre PresleyDeAndre Rashard Presley is an American football quarterback with the Appalachian State University Mountaineers. In 2010, he replaced Armanti Edwards at quarterback for the Mountaineers and led the team to a 10-3 record before losing to the Villanova Wildcats in the quarterfinals of the 2010 FCS...
of Appalachian State and Jeremy Moses of Stephen F. Austin
External links
- Walter Payton Award - Past winners from The Sports Network