CHICAGO, Ill., (Oct. 19, 2018 – STATS Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) added seven players to the Walter Payton Offensive Player of the Year Award Watch List, where Howard University junior wideout Jequez Ezzard was among the honorees included.
 
The Walter Payton Award, known as the Heisman of the FCS, honors the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. Its esteemed list of past Payton Award winners includes Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, John Friesz, Brian Finneran, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.
 
Earlier this week, Ezzard earned College Football Performance Award (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Week honors, while being selected Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Nationally, Ezzard is among the top deep-threats in the country, ranking top 10 in several categories, including receiving yards per game (1st), yards per reception (1st), receiving TDs (3rd) and all-purpose yards (7th).
 
Others added to the list included Tom Flacco (Towson), Ryan Fulse (Wagner), James Holland, Jr. (Colgate), Alexander Hollins (Eastern Illinois), Kelvin McKnight (Samford) and James Robinson (Illinois State).
 
The Walter Payton Award, presented since 1987, has updates during the 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.
 
To view all the nominees for the Walter Payton Award Watch List, please click here.