Walter Payton Award

The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player in Division I-AA football. The honor was first given in 1987 to the outstanding player in Division I-AA, but in 1995, eligibility was restricted to offensive players. That year, the Buck Buchanan Award for I-AA defensive players was inaugurated.

The trophy was named in honor of NFL legend Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State University, which is now a I-AA school.

Past Winners

• 1987 Kenny Gamble (Colgate)
• 1988 Dave Meggett (Towson)
• 1989 John Friesz (Idaho)
• 1990 Walter Dean (Grambling State)
• 1991 Jamie Martin (Weber State)
• 1992 Michael Payton (Marshall)
• 1993 Doug Nussmeyer (Idaho)
• 1994 Steve McNair (Alcorn State)
• 1995 Dave Dickenson (Montana)
• 1996 Archie Amerson (Northern Arizona)
• 1997 Brian Finneran (Villanova)
• 1998 Jerry Azumah (New Hampshire)
• 1999 Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern)
• 2000 Louis Ivory (Furman)
• 2001 Brian Westbrook (Villanova)
• 2002 Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois)
• 2003 Jamaal Branch (Colgate)