In exciting news for football enthusiasts, Stats Perform has unveiled the 30 finalists for the prestigious 2023 Walter Payton Award. This award is given annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football, and it is presented by FedEx Ground.

The Walter Payton Award, now in its 37th season, was first introduced in 1987 and is named in honor of the legendary running back Walter Payton. Payton established his legacy during his time at Jackson State, exemplifying excellence both on and off the field. Often referred to as the Heisman of the FCS, this esteemed award has been presented to several prominent players in the past, including Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp, and Trey Lance.

It is worth noting that all 13 FCS leagues, which consist of 15 conferences overall, are represented by at least one finalist for the Walter Payton Award. This exemplifies the widespread talent and outstanding performance displayed by players across Division I FCS college football.

The recipient of the 2023 Walter Payton Award will be determined through a comprehensive voting process conducted by a national panel. The winner will be announced at the highly-anticipated FCS National Awards Banquet, scheduled to take place on January 6th in Frisco, Texas. This exciting event will occur on the eve of the FCS championship game, adding an extra layer of anticipation for both players and fans alike.

In addition to the Walter Payton Award, the FCS National Awards Banquet will also recognize the winners of prominent accolades such as the Buck Buchanan Award, which hails the FCS defensive player of the year, the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS freshman player of the year, the Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the FCS coach of the year, and the FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

As the football world eagerly awaits the announcement of the 2023 Walter Payton Award winner, excitement continues to build for the FCS National Awards Banquet. It is a celebration of talent, dedication, and achievement in college football, where exceptional athletes and coaches alike will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sport.