Six Finalists Return to 2011 Walter Payton Award Watch List

PHILADELPHIA, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (Sports Network) -- The race for the 2011 Walter Payton Award, sponsored by Fathead.com, kicked off with The Sports Network's announcement that six returning finalists from last season headline a stellar 20-player Watch List for the Football Championship Subdivision's top individual honor.

The Payton Award will celebrate its 25th anniversary this season and be presented to the FCS' outstanding player at the national awards banquet Thursday night, Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas.

Appalachian State senior quarterback DeAndre Presley was the third-place finalist last season and returns to the Watch List. Also returning are Colgate sophomore running back Nate Eachus, who was sixth; Montana State sophomore quarterback DeNarius McGhee, who was seventh; Jackson State senior quarterback Casey Therriault, who was ninth; Liberty senior quarterback Mike Brown, who was 11th; and Wofford junior fullback Eric Breitenstein, who was 19th.

The 2011 Watch List includes 11 quarterbacks. The other seven are seniors B.J. Coleman of Chattanooga, Josh McGregor of Jacksonville, Bo Levi Mitchell of FCS champion Eastern Washington and Tirrell Rennie of Northern Iowa, and juniors Casey Brockman of Murray State, Thomas DeMarco of Old Dominion and Brad Sorensen of Southern Utah.

Joining Eachus and Breitenstein in the backfield are senior running backs Jonathan Grimes of William & Mary, Mike Mayhew of North Carolina A&T and D.J. McNorton of North Dakota State, as well as Youngstown State junior Jamaine Cook and Delaware sophomore Andrew Pierce.

The Watch List also includes two wide receivers, Liberty senior Chris Summers and Eastern Washington junior Brandon Kaufman.

Among the returning finalists, Presley is coming off a junior season in which he threw for 2,631 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,039 yards and 13 touchdowns. Eachus led the FCS with 1,871 rushing yards with 22 touchdowns. McGhee completed nearly 63 percent of his passes for 3,163 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Therriault accounted for 41 touchdowns (31 passing, 10 rushing) and was third in the FCS in passing yards per game (312.4) and total offense (327.8 ypg). Brown led the FCS in total offense with 346.4 yards per game and was seventh in passer efficiency (149.6). Breitenstein paced the FCS' No. 1-ranked rushing offense with a Wofford-record 1,639 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The Payton Award Watch List will undergo revision during the 2011 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 1 and invited to The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation.

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Fathead LLC is the industry leader of authentic officially licensed sports and entertainment graphic products. Fathead gives fans the opportunity to "FEEL The REAL" by bringing their favorite passion or inspiration to life. Fathead products include Fathead Customs and Fathead "Real Big", the life-size, high definition wall graphics of professional athletes, animated heroes, entertainment characters, team stadiums, helmets and logos. Fathead maintains license agreements with leading consumer brands across many industries and professional sports leagues. For more information, visit www.fathead.com.

SOURCE The Sports Network