NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State senior running back Victor Dawson has earned a spot among the best offensive players in the country, as he was named to the Stats Perform 30-player preseason watch list for the iconic Walter Payton Award, which is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football and is celebrating its 40th Anniversary season.
This year's preseason watch list reflects a deep, talented field of candidates heading toward the 2026 season, which celebrates the award's 40th anniversary. The award, affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp. Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 winner, is seeking to become the third two-time recipient after quarterbacks Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State) and Jeremiah Briscoe (Sam Houston State).
Dawson was a 2025 MVFC All-Newcomer Team selection and ranked third in the MVFC in rushing yards with 1,377. The Akron, Ohio, native ranked No. 9 in the FCS in rushing yards and tied for second on the team with five rushing touchdowns. He averaged 81.0 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry in 17 games played, while recording six games with over 100 yards rushing, including four-straight 100-yard efforts to end the year in the FCS playoffs.
He tallied his first triple digit rushing effort with 101 yards and a touchdown in a win over UNI and followed that with 116 yards and a score in a victory at Indiana State. Dawson was stellar in the second round FCS playoff win at North Dakota State, tallying 137 yards and a score and at UC Davis in the quarterfinals, he rushed for 148 in a win over the Aggies. Dawson then ran for a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown in the FCS semifinal win at Villanova, before recording 126 yards on the ground on 29 carries in the FCS National Championship game against Montana State.
The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists. Stats Perform also presents 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), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
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