Howard Named To Payton Award Watch List

Central Connecticut State running back Elijah Howard is one of 30 offensive plaers named to the Stats Perform 2025 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List. Howard was a 2024 Payton Award Finalist.

Howard, the NEC Offensive Player of the Year, ran for 934 yards this fall, the second most in the NEC. He scored eight rushing touchdowns, tops in the NEC and led the league with 110.91 all-purpose yards per game. Howard had five 100+ yard rushing games, including the last two of the season and highlighted by a 169 yard effort in the win over Mercyhurst. He has run for 1,924 yards in his two seasons in New Britain, ninth on the all-time rushing list. He was also named All-New England and earned All-NEC First Team honors.

The Payton Award is the FCS Offensive Player of the Year Award. In its 39th season and affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, the award is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp; Montana State's Tommy Mellott was last season's winner.

All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes nine past finalists. This season's recipient will be announced at the Stats Perform National Awards Presentation on Jan. 3, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 2025 Walter Payton Award preseason watch list:

Quarterbacks

Aidan Bouman, South Dakota, R-Sr., 6-5, 225 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)

Jaden Craig, Harvard, Sr., 6-2, 215 (Ivy League) – 2024 Finalist

Quincy Crittendon, Samford, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Southern Conference)

Taron Dickens, Western Carolina, R-So., 5-11, 180 (Southern Conference)

Victor Gabalis, Tarleton State, Sr., 6-3, 210 (United Athletic Conference)

Ethan Greenwood, LIU, R-Jr., 6-0, 193 (Northeast Conference)

JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, Grad, 6-4, 227 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

Derek Robertson, Monmouth, R-Sr., 6-2, 200 (CAA Football) – 2024 Finalist

Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell, Fifth Year, 6-0, 210 (Patriot League) – 2024 Finalist

Sam Vidlak, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 207 (Southland Conference) – 2024 Finalist

Running Backs

Mari Adams, Davidson, Sr., 5-11, 210 (Pioneer Football League) – 2024 Finalist

David Avit, Villanova, So., 6-0, 220 (CAA Football)

Jamar Curtis, Sacramento State, Sr., 5-8, 169 (Big Sky Conference) – 2023 and 2024 Finalist

Roland Dempster, Stony Brook, R-Sr., 6-0, 225 (CAA Football) – 2024 Finalist

Eli Gillman, Montana, R-Jr., 6-0, 208 (Big Sky Conference)

Steve Hall, Lindenwood, So., 5-9, 195 (OVC-Big South Football Association)

Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut State, Sr., 5-11, 176 (Northeast Conference) – 2024 Finalist

Adam Jones, Montana State, R-So., 6-1, 200 (Big Sky Conference)

Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)

Julius Loughridge, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-0, 215 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)

Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota, R-Jr., 5-10, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)

Travis Terrell, Jackson State, So., 5-8, 165 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

Wenkers Wright, Illinois State, Sr., 6-1, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)

Wide Receivers

Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island, R-So., 6-4, 175 (CAA Football)

Kylon Harris, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-11, 160 (Southland Conference)

Bryce Lance, North Dakota State, R-Sr., 6-3, 209 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)

Samuel Musungu, Cornell, Jr., 6-1, 192 (Ivy League)

Treyvhon Saunders, Colgate, Sr., 5-10, 190 (Patriot League)

Daniel Sobkowicz, Illinois State, Sr., 6-3, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)

Jalen Walthall, UIW, R-Sr., 6-2, 180 (Southland Conference) – 2024 Finalist

The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists.

Also this season, 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), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be handed out at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Presentation.