A pair of 1,000-yard running backs and a two-time all-conference quarterback have been named 2024 Walter Payton Award finalists, given to the national offensive player of the year in FCS college football.
North Carolina Central’s J’mari Taylor, Davidson’s Mari Adams and Western Carolina’s Cole Gonzales join a list of 35 finalists for the prestigious honor, known as the FCS version of the Heisman Trophy.
The winner will be announced Jan. 4 at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet in Frisco, Texas. Walter Payton was a star running back at Jackson State before enjoying a Hall of Fame career with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
NCCU’s J’Mari Taylor led MEAC in rushing
Running back J’Mari Taylor, a redshirt junior from Charlotte (West Mecklenburg HS), became the sixth North Carolina Central player to cross the 1,000-yard plateau. He finished with 1,148 yards on 196 carries, scoring 15 touchdowns.
Taylor also made 30 catches for 271 yards and two more scores. His prowess in the backfield helped NC Central compile an 8-3 record this season, a final regular season national ranking of 23rd in the coaches poll and a runner-up finish in the MEAC.
Mari Adams powered Davidson to another winning season
Davidson’s Mari Adams reached the 1,000-yard rushing milestone for the second year in a row. The junior from Shelby (Crest HS) finished the 2024 campaign with 1,231 yards on 187 carries. He scored 15 touchdowns and averaged 6.6 yards per carry.
Davidson completed its seventh straight winning season, going 6-5. Adams enjoyed a 207-yard day against Point University in September and had seven games with 100 yards or more.
Adams, who ended the 2023 season with 1,019 yards, now has 2,368 rushing yards with 31 rushing touchdowns for his career.
WCU’s Cole Gonzales impressive despite shortened season
An injury cut Cole Gonzales junior season short with the Catamounts. He missed the final four games but still put up an impressive enough stat line to become a Payton finalist.
Through eight games, Gonzales completed 205 of 332 passes (61.7 percent) for 2,543 yards and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for another 212 yards and two TDs.
Gonzales was named a first-team All-Southern Conference pick.
—> READ MORE: Western Carolina puts nine on All-SoCon team.
2023 Payton Award winner Mark Gronowski in the running again
Mark Gronowski collected last year’s Walter Payton Award on his way to leading South Dakota State to the national championship. The senior is back in the field again this season after posting 2,190 passing yards and 17 TDs for the Jackrabbits.
Here is the full list of Payton Award finalists:
Quarterback
Zach Calzada, UIW, Grad
Jacob Clark, Missouri State, Sr.
Jaden Craig, Harvard, Jr.
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, Sr.
Cole Gonzales, Western Carolina, Jr.
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, Sr.
Miles Hastings, UC Davis, Sr.
Maverick McIvor, Abilene Christian, Grad
Tommy Mellott, Montana State, Sr.
Cam Miller, North Dakota State, Sr.
Eric Phoenix, South Carolina State, Grad
Daniel Richardson, Florida A&M, Grad
Derek Robertson, Monmouth, Sr.
Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell, Sr.
Sam Vidlak, Stephen F. Austin, Jr.
Jameson Wang, Cornell, Sr.
Running Back
Mari Adams, Davidson, Jr.
Hope Adebayo, St. Thomas, Sr.
Kayvon Britten, Tarleton State, Sr.
Jermaine Corbett, Merrimack, Sr.
Jamar Curtis, Lafayette, Jr.
Roland Dempster, Stony Brook, R-Sr.
Malachi Hosley, Penn, So.
Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut State, RB, So
Targhee Lambson, Southern Utah, Sr.
Lan Larison, UC Davis, Sr.
Antonio Martin Jr., Southeastern Louisiana, So.
Dwayne McGee, Mercer, Sr.
Irv Mulligan, Jackson State, Grad
ShunDerrick Powell, Central Arkansas, Sr.
J’Mari Taylor, North Carolina Central, R-Jr.
Wide Receiver
Jeff Caldwell, Lindenwood, Jr.
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, Sr.
Jalen Walthall, UIW, R-Jr.
Offensive Lineman
Charles Grant, William & Mary, Sr.
