As a Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll voter and national awards voter, I think 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.
5. Cole Gonzales, Western Carolina
WCU looks primed for a breakout season, and Gonzales will be the focal point for that success.
Last year’s SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, Gonzales went 204/310 passing for 2,803 yards, 28 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while adding 203 rushing yards. Gonzales’ passing efficiency of 166.4 ranked No. 3 in the FCS.
Team success can help individuals in getting votes. If WCU lives up to preseason hype, Gonzales will arrive on more people’s radars as one of the top QBs in the FCS.
4. Cam Miller, North Dakota State
Miller changed some people’s perspective of his play last year, especially after gutsy playoff performances. He has a talented arm and is dangerous with his legs. And he’ll certainly get an NFL opportunity next spring, whether it’s via a camp invite or a rookie contract.
Miller finished 208/289 passing last fall for 2,688 yards, 19 TDs, and four interceptions while adding 629 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. PFF had Miller as the No. 1-graded FCS QB while his 169.1 passing efficiency was No. 2 in the subdivision.
NDSU has preseason uncertainties at running back and on the interior offensive line. The Bison may lean on Miller’s running ability while also possibly needing to throw a bit more to move the chains. Miller will have the numbers, name recognition, and brand recognition to be in or around the top three voting for the Payton Award.
3. Tommy Mellott, Montana State
MSU no longer has Sean Chambers as its QB1B. The good news is it will allow multi-year starting quarterback Tommy Mellott to shine on his own. He’s been at his best when not splitting reps. The bad news is there is no proven option behind Mellott, who has suffered injuries in each of the last three seasons.
If Mellott can stay healthy and build off his elite running and throwing performance against NDSU, he’s set for a superb senior season. He has strong weapons on the outside. And the depth at running back allows Mellott, perhaps the most dangerous runner on the roster, to utilize his legs when necessary but not shoulder the rushing load.
Mellott has 2,474 career rushing yards and 3,241 passing yards. He graded out as PFF’s No. 4 overall FCS quarterback last year, tallying 1,064 yards passing (73-of-117), 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions in nine games, plus finishing second on the team with 689 yards rushing and five scores. He’ll be one of the best and one of the most important offensive players in the FCS. MSU is a legit FCS title threat if Mellott stays healthy.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
2. Lan Larison, UC Davis
A non-quarterback hasn’t won the Walter Payton Award since Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp in 2015. You have to go back to 2003 for a running back to win the award (Colgate’s Jamaal Branch).
If someone can break that trend this fall, it’s Larison.
Larison was unstoppable at times last season. Despite playing only eight games due to injury, Larison was the 2023 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year. He carried the ball 178 times for 1,101 yards (6.2 YPC) and 13 touchdowns, plus 21 catches for 198 yards and two scores.
Give Larison a full season of health, and special things are in store.
1. Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State
Gronowski won last year’s Walter Payton Award and is the back-to-back Most Outstanding Player in the FCS national championship game.
With 37 career wins (13 away from breaking the FCS record as a starting quarterback) and only one loss to an FCS team as a full-game starter, he has thrown for 7,590 career yards, 70 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions along with 1,387 yards rushing and 27 scores. Last year, he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,058 yards, 29 TDs, and five interceptions, including 402 yards on the ground and eight TDs. Gronowski owned the No. 1 passing efficiency in the FCS (179.7) and was PFF’s No. 2-graded FCS QB.
SDSU lost its top running back, top two wide receivers, top tight end, and top two offensive linemen to NFL contracts. While there are still proven commodities back, the 2024 SDSU offense will be more of Gronowski’s offense. That may set up for an even bigger season for him individually than last year. Don’t be surprised when NFL Draft hype picks up more throughout the fall.
