GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman All-America tight end Ryan Miller is among 35 players named to the 2022 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, it was announced today by Stats Perform.

The Walter Payton Award is presented to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Miller, a fifth-year member of Furman's program and a two-time All-America performer, is coming off an impressive junior season that saw him collect 43 passes for 749 yards and seven touchdowns, which ranked third in the Southern Conference in all three categories.  Four of the Jackson, Tenn., product's seven touchdown receptions a year ago covered 50-plus yards, including a career best 87-yard play in the Paladins' 28-19 triumph over 25th-ranked North Carolina A&T.  He also registered a 58-yard scoring grab in a 24-14 win over The Citadel, a 73-yard connection versus 20th-ranked VMI (37-31 win), and a 50-yard touchdown reception in a 41-34, season ending road win over Samford.

His 16 career touchdown receptions is a record for Furman tight ends.

Miller is bidding to become the second Paladin to win the Walter Payton Award.  In 2000 All-America running back Louis Ivory took home the prestigious trophy after rushing for a FCS (then NCAA I-AA) season leading 2,079 yards at 16 touchdowns, including a Furman record 301 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-10 win over Georgia Southern.

Click here for the full 2022 Stats Perform Walter Payton Award Watch List release.

2022 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List

Quarterbacks
Nic Baker, Southern Illinois, Jr., 5-9, 194
Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Gr., 6-4, 220 (2020 and 2021 Finalist)
Nick Howard, Dartmouth, Sr., 6-2, 230.
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, R-Jr., 6-3, 208
Tommy Mellot, Montana State, So., 6-0, 195
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State, So., 6-2, 215
Lindsey Scott Jr., UIW, Sr., 5-11, 220
Trae Self, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-4, 190
Jason Shelley, Missouri State, Sr., 5-11, 197 (2021 Finalist)
Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State, Jr., 6-0, 205 (2021 Finalist)
Reece Udinski, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 220

Running Backs
Jake Chisholm, Dayton, Sr., 5-9, 191 (2021 Finalist)
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-1, 220
Juwon Farri, Monmouth, R-Sr., 5-10, 195 (2020 Finalist)
Ailym Ford, Chattanooga, Jr., 5-9, 213
Narii Gaither, Gardner-Webb, Sr., 5-10, 181
Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-9, 189
Malik Grant, Sacred Heart, Sr., 5-9, 200 (2021 Finalist)
Julien Gums, Nicholls, Sr., 5-10, 230
Darius Hale, Central Arkansas, So., 5-11, 225
Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 5-8, 209 (2021 Finalist)
Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State, Sr., 5-10, 202 (2021 Finalist)
Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 236
Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State, Sr., 5-9, 195
Jacob Saylors, ETSU, Sr., 5-11, 195

Wide Receivers
Avante Cox, Southern Illinois, Sr., 5-10, 170
Shaquan Davis, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-5, 215
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-9, 170 (2021 Finalist)
Taylor Grimes, UIW, Sr., 5-11, 190
Jakob Herres, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 225 (2020 Finalist)
Jaxon Janke, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-3, 210
Xavier Smith, Florida A&M, Gr., 5-10, 170

Tight Ends
Kemari Averett, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-6, 260
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-5, 255
Ryan Miller, Furman, R-Sr., 6-2, 221

In addition to the Walter Payton Award, Stats Perform will also present the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year), and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.