STATS - A preseason watch list of 25 players was announced Wednesday for the 2019 STATS FCS Walter Payton Award on Wednesday including Duquesne All-American running back A.J. Hines (Wilson, N.C. / Fike).

The Payton Award - known as the Heisman of the FCS - is given to the offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision and first awarded in 1987. The award has seen past winners such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, John Friesz, Brian Finneran, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp move on to the NFL.

Hines, a finalist for the Payton Award a year ago, won the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award following a standout freshman campaign in 2016. The 2018 NEC Offensive Player of the Year has garnered preseason All-American honors from STATS FCS, Athlon Sports and HERO Sports so far this summer.

He has posted three-straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and enters his senior season with 3,849 career rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns, both leading all active players.

More players can join the watch list during the 2019 season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the winner following the regular season.

Also this season, STATS will present 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 Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

In addition to Hines being a finalist for the Payton Award last season, head coach Jerry Schmitt was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award for FCS Coach of the Year while offensive lineman Matt Fitzpatrick was a finalist for the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Duquesne has had a finalist for the Walter Payton Award in each of the last three seasons in Hines (2018) as well as quarterbacks Dillon Buechel (2016) and Tommy Stuart (2017).

Last year's winner, Samford quarterback Devlin Hodges, is currently in training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers.


2019 STATS FCS WALTER PAYTON AWARD WATCH LIST
Tyrie Adams, Western Carolina, QB, R-Sr., 6-2, 180
Troy Andersen, Montana State, ATH, Jr., 6-3, 215
Kenji Bahar, Monmouth, QB, R-Sr., 6-3, 190
Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington, QB, R-Jr., 6-0, 200
Michael Bandy, San Diego, WR, Sr., 5-11, 190
Grant Breneman, Colgate, QB, Jr., 6-1, 220
Case Cookus, Northern Arizona, QB, R-Sr., 6-4, 205
Zerrick Cooper, Jacksonville State, QB, R-Jr., 6-4, 230
Tom Flacco, Towson, QB, R-Sr., 6-1, 208
Chase Fourcade, Nicholls, QB, Sr., 6-0, 190
A.J. Hines, Duquesne, RB, Sr., 5-11, 225
Cade Johnson, South Dakota State, WR, R-Jr., 5-10, 175
Noah Johnson, Alcorn State, QB, R-Sr., 6-0, 195
Reed Klubnik, Yale, WR, Sr., 6-3, 200
Jake Maier, UC Davis, QB, R-Sr., 6-0, 200
Caylin Newton, Howard, QB, Jr., 6-0, 195
Bryce Nunnelly, Chattanooga, WR, Jr., 6-2, 190
Aaron Parker, Rhode Island, WR, Sr., 6-3, 191
Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State, WR, R-Sr., 6-4, 205
James Robinson, Illinois State, RB, Sr., 5-10, 220
Shane Simpson, Towson, RB/RS, R-Sr., 5-9, 200
Nathan Stewart, Sam Houston State, WR, Sr., 6-0 180
Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State, TE, Sr., 6-3, 245
Adam Trautman, Dayton, TE, R-Sr., 6-6, 253
De'Shawn Waller, Alcorn State, RB, Sr., 5-10, 210