Donovan Wadley first Merrimack player named to Walter Payton watchlist
Junior wide receiver had 11 total touchdowns last season. The Walter Payton Award is given annually to the top offensive player in FCS football.
Merrimack junior wide receiver Donovan Wadley became the program’s first player named to the Walter Payton Award preseason watchlist on Tuesday.
The Walter Payton Award was established in 1987 and is awarded annually to the top offensive player in Division I FCS. Past winners include former first-round pick Trey Lance (North Dakota State), L.A. Rams receiver Coopey Kupp (Eastern Washington), Jimmy Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois), and Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern).
Wadley appeared in 11 games for the Warriors last season and had 687 total yards and eight touchdowns. He rushed 34 times for 216 yards and three touchdowns (6.4 yards per carry) and caught 26 passes for 471 yards and five touchdowns.
Wadley also returned three punts for touchdowns and averaged 37.9 yards per return.
In all, 35 players were named to the watchlist.
Merrimack will begin its first season as an FCS independent on Aug. 31 in an FBS matchup against Air Force. That game will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network (2:30 p.m. ET kickoff). The Warriors will travel to UConn on Sept. 7 in another FBS matchup. Merrimack’s home opener is Sept. 21 against Maine.