SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State quarterback Kevin Thomson was named to the 2019 STATS FCS Walter Payton Award watch list, it was announced today. Thomson is one of 16 players on the watch list for the award which goes to the top offensive player in the FCS each season.

Thomson is in the midst of a remarkable season in which he's thrown for 2,423 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 413 yards and seven scores. The junior is already third in school history for single-season touchdown passes, tied for third in single-season touchdowns responsible for, sixth in single-season completions and seventh in single-season yards. Thomson's efforts have helped Sacramento State become a top 10 program in the FCS.

The Hornets are currently 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big Sky Conference for their best start in the school's Div. I era. Thomson has thrown three or more touchdowns in six of the team's eight games, including a career-high five in the team's 50-0 win over Northern Colorado. He has four games this year where he's accounted for at least five touchdowns passing and running.

Joining Thomson on the watch list were quarterbacks Kevin Davidson of Princeton, Felix Harper of Alcorn State, Trey Lance of North Dakota State, Kurt Rawlings of Yale, Reid Sinnett of San Diego, Breylin Smith of Central Arkansas, Daniel Smith of Villanova, Ryan Stanley of Florida A&M, Aaron Winchester of Central Connecticut State and Bailey Zappe of Houston Baptist; running backs Pete Guerriero of Monmouth, Jah-Maine Martin of North Carolina A&T, Alex Ramsey of VMI and Pierre Strong Jr. of South Dakota State; and wide receiver/return specialist Chris Rowland of Tennessee State.

Preseason nominees were quarterbacks Tyrie Adams of Western Carolina, Kenji Bahar of Monmouth, Eric Barriere of Eastern Washington, Grant Breneman of Colgate, Case Cookus of Northern Arizona, Zerrick Cooper of Jacksonville State, Tom Flacco of Towson, Chase Fourcade of Nicholls, Noah Johnson of Alcorn State, Jake Maier of UC Davis and Caylin Newton of Howard.

Also, running backs A.J. Hines of Duquesne, James Robinson of Illinois State, Shane Simpson of Towson and De'Shawn Waller of Alcorn State; wide receivers Michael Bandy of San Diego, Cade Johnson of South Dakota State, Reed Klubnik of Yale, Bryce Nunnelly of Chattanooga, Aaron Parker of Rhode Island, Josh Pearson of Jacksonville State and Nathan Stewart of Sam Houston State; tight ends Charlie Taumoepeau of Portland State and Adam Trautman of Dayton; and athlete Troy Andersen of Montana State.

A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the Payton winner following the regular season. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.

Also in the postseason, STATS will 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.