Aug. 29, 2007
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -
Illinois State senior quarterback Luke Drone was one of just 16 players chosen Wednesday by The Sports Network as part of its watch list for the Walter Payton Award, an accolade given to the top football player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
Drone, who was a First-Team All-Gateway Football Conference selection in 2006, is the third consecutive Illinois State player, and third overall in Redbird history, to be named to list. Former ISU standout and current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laurént Robinson received recognition in both 2005 and 2006. Former running back Pierre Rembert was named a finalist for the award last season.
The list marks the first step toward recognizing the 21st Walter Payton Award winner, which will be presented in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 13, the night before the FCS national championship game. Updates and revisions to the watch list will be made in October and November before the final ballot is decided on in November. Ballots will be distributed to voters in November, and the voting will take place immediately following the completion of the regular season.
Drone is coming off an impressive 2006 season, where he solidified himself as one of the most effective signal callers in Illinois State history. Drone threw for 2,961 yards, his second-straight season over the 2,900-yard mark, while connecting on 21 touchdowns. If Drone can equal or surpass his passing yards total from each of the last two seasons, he will become the most prolific passer in the school's career annals, and would pass former Redbird Kevin Glenn (8,251 yards) for the top spot.
Drone is also the most efficient passer to ever wear a Redbird uniform, as the Mt. Carmel, Ill., native holds a 147.2 career passer rating, a mark that is more than 20 points higher than the next highest ISU quarterback.
The Gateway had three players named to the Payton watch list, as Northern Iowa quarterback Eric Sanders and running back Herb Donaldson of Western Illinois joined Drone. Only the Colonial Athletic Association had more players (four) named to the list.
Over 100 voters, representing sports broadcasters, writers, sports information directors and other college football experts will decide on the Payton award, as well as the Buck Buchanan and Eddie Robinson awards, which recognize the top defensive player and top coach in FCS football, respectively.
Drone and the Redbirds will open their 2007 campaign at home, facing the Drake Bulldogs in a non-conference matchup at Hancock Stadium Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m
