Walter Payton Award

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The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player in Division I-AA football. The honor was first given in 1987 to the outstanding player in Division I-AA, but in 1995, eligibility was restricted to offensive players. That year, the Buck Buchanan Award for I-AA defensive players was inaugurated.

The trophy was named in honor of NFL legend Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State University, which is now a I-AA school. Both the Payton and Buchanan Awards are awarded the night before the annual I-AA championship game.

[edit] Previous winners

Year Player School
1987 Kenny Gamble Colgate
1988 Dave Meggett Towson
1989 John Friesz Idaho
1990 Walter Dean Grambling
1991 Jamie Martin Weber State
1992 Michael Payton Marshall
1993 Doug Nussmeier Idaho
1994 Steve McNair Alcorn State
1995 Dave Dickenson Montana
1996 Archie Amerson Northern Arizona
1997 Brian Finneran Villanova
1998 Jerry Azumah New Hampshire
1999 Adrian Peterson Georgia Southern
2000 Louis Ivory Furman
2001 Brian Westbrook Villanova
2002 Tony Romo Eastern Illinois
2003 Jamaal Branch Colgate
2004 Lang Campbell William & Mary
2005 Erik Meyer Eastern Washington

[edit] External Links


College football awards:
Best player awards:
Heisman Memorial Trophy
Maxwell Award | Walter Camp Award
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Best Defenseman)
Chuck Bednarik Award (Best Defenseman)
Dave Rimington Trophy (Best C)
Davey O'Brien Award (Best QB)
Dick Butkus Award (Best LB)
Doak Walker Award (Best RB)
Draddy Trophy (Academic Heisman)
Fred Biletnikoff Award (Best WR)
Jim Thorpe Award (Best DB)
John Mackey Award (Best TE)
Johnny Unitas Award (Best Senior QB)
Lombardi Award (Best Lineman or LB)
Lott Trophy (Defensive impact)
Lou Groza Award (Best PK)
Manning Award (Best QB)
Mosi Tatupu Award (Best spec. teams)
Outland Trophy (Best IOL or DL)
Ray Guy Award (Best P)
Ted Hendricks Award (Best DE)
Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year | Home Depot Coach of the Year
Walter Payton Award (Best Div. I-AA Off.) | Buck Buchanan Award (Best Div. I-AA Def.)
Harlon Hill Trophy (Div. II) | Gagliardi Trophy (Div. III) | Melberger Award (Div. III)