Stats Perform has announced 30 finalists for the 2023 Walter Payton Award, given annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football and presented by FedEx Ground.  Three student-athletes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference represent the league.

QB Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, 6-3, 225, Jr., Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley HS)
Started all 11 games … leads FCS in passing efficiency (184.08) … completed 68.5 percent (159-of-232) of his passes for 2,359 yards and 23 touchdowns against only three interceptions … averaging 234.5 yards of total offense per game … rushed and passed for touchdowns in seven games this season … threw a touchdown pass in 10 of 11 games … first-team all-MVFC in 2020-21 spring season, second-team selection in 2022 … two-time team captain (2022, 2023)

QB Cam Miller, North Dakota State, 6-1, 213, Sr., Solon, Iowa (Solon HS)
Leads the MVFC in completion percentage (74.7) and ranks second in pass efficiency (166.5) and total touchdowns (25)...Tied for second in the MVFC with 11 rushing TDs and ranks third averaging 8.9 yards per pass attempt...Third-year starter...Had four 200-yard passing games and his first 2,000-yard season...Went 171-for-229 for 2,048 yards with 14 TDs and four interceptions...NDSU’s leading rusher with 563 yards and averages 5.6 yards per carry.

RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, 6-1, 220, Sr., Joplin, Mo. (Joplin HS)
Leads league in rushing with 1,075 yards (second with 97.7 ypg)  … lone back in the MVFC to top 1,000 yards during the regular season… averaging 6.6 yards per carry and leads the league in all-purpose yards (112.2 ypg) … topped the 100-yard mark five times this season … scored 11 rushing touchdowns, including three in league opener against North Dakota … named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for season-high 197 yards Oct. 7 at Illinois State … added 18 receptions for 159 yards (8.8 ypr) with one touchdown … crossed the 4,000-yard mark for career rushing in regular season finale … all-MVFC First Team in 2022 … team captain




Heisman of the FCS: Stats Perform Announces 30 Finalists for 2023 Walter Payton Award
The award, first presented in 1987 and in its 37th season, is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, its past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.

All 13 FCS leagues, comprised from 15 conferences overall, are represented by a Walter Payton Award finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.

QUARTERBACKS
Max Brosmer, New Hampshire, Jr., 6-2, 221 (CAA Football)
294 of 459 (64.1%), 3,464 yards, 29 TDs, 5 INTs, 145.9 pass efficiency; 126 rush yards, 5 TDs (11 games)
Mike DiLiello, Austin Peay, Grad, 6-1, 215 (United Athletic Conference)
230 of 340 (67.7%), 3,057 yards, 27 TDs, 10 INTs, 163.5 pass efficiency; 199 rush yards, 5 TDs (11 games)
Zevi Eckhaus, Bryant, Jr., 6-1, 205 (Big South-OVC Football Association)
238 of 379 (62.8%), 2,907 yards, 28 TDs, 7 INTs, 147.9 pass efficiency; 355 rush yard, 1 TD (11 games)
Cole Gonzales, Western Carolina, So., 6-0, 195 (Southern Conference)
204 of 310 (65.8%), 2,803 yards, 28 TDs, 8 INTs, 166.4 pass efficiency; 203 rush yards (11 games)
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-3, 225 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
159 of 232 (68.5%), 2,359 yards, 23 TDs, 3 INTs, 184.1 pass efficiency; 220 rushing yards, 7 TDs (11 games)
Michael Hiers, Samford, Grad, 6-1, 215 (Southern Conference)
314 of 436 (72%), 3,056 yards, 18 TDs, 8 INTs, 140.9 pass efficiency; 3 rush TDs (11 games)
Gevani McCoy, Idaho, R-So., 6-2, 185 (Big Sky Conference)
190 of 288 (66%), 2,410 yards, 14 TDs, 7 INTs, 147.4 pass efficiency; 165 rush yards, 2 TDs (10 games)
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, R-Sr., 6-3, 208 (United Athletic Conference)
265 of 419 (63.2%), 3,033 yards, 20 TDs, 12 INTs, 134.1 pass efficiency; 3 rush TDs (11 games)
Cam Miller, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 213 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
171 of 229 (74.7%), 2,048 yards, 14 TDs, 4 INTs, 163.1 pass efficiency; 563 rush yards, 11 TDs (11 games)
CJ Montes, Fordham, So., 6-2, 205 (Patriot League)
241 of 376 (64.1%), 3,000 yards, 26 TDs, 1 INT, 153.4 pass efficiency; 158 rush yards, 3 TDs (11 games)
Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M, Grad, 6-3, 225 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
182 of 317 (57.4%), 2,416 yards, 18 TDs, 7 INTs, 135.1 pass efficiency; 1 rush TD (10 games)
Darius Perrantes, Duquesne, Jr., 6-0, 220 (Northeast Conference)
128 of 251 (51%), 2,291 yards, 21 TDs, 18 INTs, 140.9 pass efficiency, 1 rush TD (11 games)
Reese Poffenbarger, UAlbany, R-So., 6-0, 208 (CAA Football)
211 of 364 (58%), 2,860 yards, 31 TDs, 9 INTs, 147.1 pass efficiency; 134 rush yards, 3 TDs (12 games)
Davius Richard, North Carolina Central, Sr., 6-3, 220 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
150 of 246 (61%), 1,915 yards, 20 TDs, 3 INTs, 150.8 pass efficiency; 579 rush yards, 15 TDs (10 games)
Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, Sr., 6-3, 216 (Patriot League)
122 of 197 (62%), 1,728 yards, 20 TDs, 5 INTs, 164.0 pass efficiency; 1,243 rush yards, 9 TDs (11 games)
Jake Wilcox, Brown, Sr., 6-2, 195 (Ivy League)
285 of 456 (62.5%), 2,819 yards, 18 TDs, 9 INTs, 125.5 pass efficiency; 93 rush yards (10 games)

RUNNING BACKS
Jamar Curtis, Lafayette, So., 5-8, 164 (Patriot League)
206 carries, 1,333 yards (6.5 ypc) 13 TDs; 16 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD (11 games)
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 220 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
162 carries, 1,075 yards (6.6 ypc), 11 TDs; 18 receptions, 159 yards, 1 TD (11 games)
Sam Franklin, UT Martin, R-So., 5-10, 200 (Big South-OVC Football Association)
223 carries, 1,378 yards (6.2 ypc), 11 TDs; 14 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD (11 games)
Lan Larison, UC Davis, Jr., 6-0, 195 (Big Sky Conference)
178 carries, 1,101 yards (6.2 ypc), 13 TDs; 21 receptions, 198 yards, 2 TDs (8 games)
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, Sr., 5-10, 208 (CAA Football)
158 carries, 715 yards (4.5 ypc), 9 TDs; 68 receptions, 699 yards, 7 TDs; 2 special teams TDs; 209.5 all-purpose ypg (10 games)
Jyran Mitchell, Butler, Grad, 6-0, 205 (Pioneer Football League)
199 carries, 1,268 yards (6.4 ypc), 13 TDs; 23 receptions, 202 yards, 3 TDs (11 games)
LaDarius Owens, Texas Southern, Sr., 5-9, 180 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
202 carries, 1,370 yards (6.8 ypc), 11 TDs; 11 receptions, 110 yards; 168.1 all-purpose ypg (11 games)
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth, Jr., 5-9, 185 (CAA Football)
221 carries, 1,478 yards (6.7 ypc), 10 TDs; 20 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD (11 games)

WIDE RECEIVERS
Jalen Coker, Holy Cross, Sr., 6-3, 207 (Patriot League)
59 receptions, 1,040 yards (17.6 ypc), 15 TDs (11 games)
Hayden Hatten, Idaho, R-Jr., 6-2, 205 (Big Sky Conference)
75 receptions, 985 yards (13.2 ypc), 9 TDs (11 games)
Chedon James, Idaho State, So., 5-8, 173 (Big Sky Conference)
102 receptions, 1,045 yards (10.2 ypc), 8 TDs (11 games)
Ty James, Mercer, R-Sr., 6-2, 200 (Southern Conference)
54 receptions, 1,022 yards (18.9 ypc), 7 TDs (11 games)
Dymere Miller, Monmouth, Sr., 6-0, 180 (CAA Football)
90 receptions, 1,293 yards (14.4 ypc), 9 TDs (11 games)
Brandon Porter, UIW, Grad, 5-11, 190 (Southland Conference)
67 receptions, 1,072 yards (16.0 ypc), 7 TDs (10 games)

Like the Walter Payton Award, the winners of the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award will be honored at the national awards banquet.