SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The preseason honors continue to pour in for Sacramento State senior running back Jamar Curtis as he was named one of 30 players on the Walter Payton Award Watch List, it was announced today. The Walter Payton Award is presented annually by Stats Perform to the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
 
Curtis enters the season with the most career rushing yards of any player in the FCS. In his three previous seasons at Lafayette, Curtis rushed for 3,064 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was a Walter Payton Award finalist in both 2023 and 2024 and was the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.
 
Curtis was previously named a preseason second team FCS All-American by Stats Perform and FCS Football Central and was a third team selection by Phil Steele.
 
Sacramento State will open its 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, at South Dakota State. The team's first home game will come on Sept. 13 against Mercyhurst. Season tickets can be purchased HERE.
 
2025 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List
Quarterbacks
Aidan Bouman, South Dakota, R-Sr., 6-5, 225 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Jaden Craig, Harvard, Sr., 6-2, 215 (Ivy League) – 2024 Finalist
Quincy Crittendon, Samford, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Southern Conference)
Taron Dickens, Western Carolina, R-So., 5-11, 180 (Southern Conference)
Victor Gabalis, Tarleton State, Sr., 6-3, 210 (United Athletic Conference)
Ethan Greenwood, LIU, R-Jr., 6-0, 193 (Northeast Conference)
JaCobian Morgan, Jackson State, Grad, 6-4, 227 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Derek Robertson, Monmouth, R-Sr., 6-2, 200 (CAA Football) – 2024 Finalist
Ralph Rucker IV, Bucknell, Fifth Year, 6-0, 210 (Patriot League) – 2024 Finalist
Sam Vidlak, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-1, 207 (Southland Conference) – 2024 Finalist
 
Running Backs
Mari Adams, Davidson, Sr., 5-11, 210 (Pioneer Football League) – 2024 Finalist
David Avit, Villanova, So., 6-0, 220 (CAA Football)
Jamar Curtis, Sacramento State, Sr., 5-8, 169 (Big Sky Conference) – 2023 and 2024 Finalist
Roland Dempster, Stony Brook, R-Sr., 6-0, 225 (CAA Football) – 2024 Finalist
Eli Gillman, Montana, R-Jr., 6-0, 208 (Big Sky Conference)
Steve Hall, Lindenwood, So., 5-9, 195 (OVC-Big South Football Association)
Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut State, Sr., 5-11, 176 (Northeast Conference) – 2024 Finalist
Adam Jones, Montana State, R-So., 6-1, 200 (Big Sky Conference)
Kevon King, Norfolk State, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Julius Loughridge, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-0, 215 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Charles Pierre Jr., South Dakota, R-Jr., 5-10, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Travis Terrell, Jackson State, So., 5-8, 165 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Wenkers Wright, Illinois State, Sr., 6-1, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
 
Wide Receivers
Marquis Buchanan, Rhode Island, R-So., 6-4, 175 (CAA Football)
Kylon Harris, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-11, 160 (Southland Conference)
Bryce Lance, North Dakota State, R-Sr., 6-3, 209 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Samuel Musungu, Cornell, Jr., 6-1, 192 (Ivy League)
Treyvhon Saunders, Colgate, Sr., 5-10, 190 (Patriot League)
Daniel Sobkowicz, Illinois State, Sr., 6-3, 205 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Jalen Walthall, UIW, R-Sr., 6-2, 180 (Southland Conference) – 2024 Finalist
 
The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner from a group of finalists after the regular season.