NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State quarterback Juwan Carter was named Wednesday to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

The preseason watch list is composed of 35 players and can be revised during the season. The Payton Award, given by Stats Perform, is presented prior to the FCS national championship game in January.

Carter, a senior entering his fourth year as the Spartans' starter, is one of 15 quarterbacks on the initial list. Last week, Carter was named the preseason MEAC offensive Player of the Year. A 2019 All-MEAC second-team pick, led the conference that year with 2,631 passing yards, 2,856 yards of total offense and a 60.6 completion percentage. His 23 touchdowns were the most by a Spartan quarterback in the Division I era and he added six rushing touchdowns, as well.

A three-time MEAC Offensive Player of the Week as a junior, Carter recorded three 300-yard passing games in 2019. He threw at least one touchdown pass in all 11 games that he completed.

Carter is the only MEAC player to make the initial Payton Award watch list. Quarterback Cole Kelley of Southeastern Louisiana won the award last year and is also on the preseason watch list. Other past winners include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.

Preseason Payton Award Watch List

Quarterbacks
Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington (2019 and 2020-21 finalist)
Juwan Carter, Norfolk State
Jack Cook, Dayton
Zerrick Cooper, Jacksonville State (2019 finalist)
Tim DeMorat, Fordham (2020-21 finalist)
Draylen Ellis, Austin Peay
Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M (2020-21 finalist)
Felix Harper, Alcorn State (2019 finalist)
Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana (2020-21 recipient)
E.J. Perry, Brown
Eric Schmid, Sam Houston
Breylin Smith, Central Arkansas
Daniel Smith, Villanova (2019 finalist)
Cameron Ward, UIW
Liam Welch, Samford (2020-21 finalist)
 
Running Backs
Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison (2020-21 finalist)
Julius Chestnut, Sacred Heart (2019 and 2020-21 finalist)
Josh Davis, Weber State
Elijah Dotson, Sacramento State
Juwon Farri, Monmouth (2020-21 finalist)
Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri
Quay Holmes, ETSU (2020-21 finalist)
Dejoun Lee, Delaware (2020-21 finalist)
Jah-Maine Martin, North Carolina A&T (2019 finalist)
Karl Mofor, Albany
Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State (2020-21 finalist)
Otis Weah, North Dakota (2020-21 finalist)
Devin Wynn, Furman
 
Wide Receivers
Samuel Akem, Montana
Avante Cox, Southern Illinois
Dai'Jean Dixon, Nicholls
Jequez Ezzard, Sam Houston
Jakob Herres, VMI (2020-21 finalist)
Tyler Hudson, Central Arkansas (2020-21 finalist)
Christian Watson, North Dakota State