Four power onto Payton Award Watch List

Oct 14, 2014 - 4:35 PM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The best trait of a Walter Payton Award candidate tends to be the player's ability to lift his team to a higher level.

The four players added to the Payton Watch List on Tuesday - quarterback Dakota Prukop of Montana State, and running backs Marshaun Coprich of Illinois State, Tyler Varga of Yale and Herb Walker Jr. of Morgan State - have been doing just that this season while racking up remarkable statistics as well.

The 28th annual Payton Award, presented by The Sports Network, will be bestowed on the outstanding player of the FCS level following the regular season.

The four new additions:

Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, RB, Jr., 5-9, 205, Victorville, California

With a "Baby Bull" nickname, it's easy to figure out why it often takes more than one defender to bring down the physical Coprich. He ranks second in the running back-rich Missouri Valley Football Conference and fourth in the FCS in rushing yards per game (146), and he's scored 11 touchdowns to rank second nationally in points per game (13.2). Behind Coprich's five straight games over 100 rushing yards, the Redbirds are one of only five unbeaten teams in the FCS and they have been a surprise entrant into the Top 10.

Dakota Prukop, Montana State, QB, So., 6-2, 195, Austin, Texas

Prukop was named The Sports Network National Offensive Player of the Week a week ago, and he easily could have been the choice this week. In his last two Big Sky Conference games, he has accounted for 997 total yards and 14 total touchdowns. The dual threat has been a revelation in following up four-time Payton Award nominee DeNarius McGhee as the ninth-ranked Bobcats' starting quarterback. He ranks first in the FCS in points responsible for (168) and fourth in total offense (352.4 yards per game).

Tyler Varga, Yale, RB, Sr., 5-11, 224, Kitchener, Ontario

Talk about lifting his team, Varga helped Yale to the first Ivy League win over an FBS program since 1986 when he rushed for 185 yards and a school-record five touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime, against Army on Sept. 27. Eyed as an early round pick in the 2015 CFL Draft, he's returned from an injury last season to rank first in the Ivy League and ninth in the FCS with 131.3 rushing yards per game, and first nationally in points per game (13.5) for a 3-1 Bulldogs squad ranked No. 1 nationally in total offense and No. 3 in scoring offense.

Herb Walker Jr., Morgan State, RB, So., 5-8, 180, Cleveland

Walker took over as the Bears' No. 1 option after the first game, and he hasn't looked back. The small, elusive back has gone over 100 yards in five straight games, including twice over 200 yards, while scoring nine total touchdowns. Overall, he is averaging 152.5 rushing yards per game, ranking first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and third in the nation. The Bears (3-3) have won three of their last four games.

Other players on the Walter Payton Award Watch List are quarterbacks Vernon Adams Jr. of Eastern Washington, Bryan Bennett of Southeastern Louisiana, Quinn Epperly of Princeton, Jacob Huesman of Chattanooga, Michael Nebrich of Fordham, John Robertson of Villanova, Alex Ross of Coastal Carolina and Michael Strauss of Richmond; running backs Malcolm Cyrus of Alabama State, Khairi Dickson of Saint Francis (Pa.), Rob Hollomon of Central Connecticut State, DaMarcus James of Jacksonville State, David Johnson of Northern Iowa, Gus Johnson of Stephen F. Austin, Keshaudas Spence of Sacred Heart and Zach Zenner of South Dakota State; wide receivers Sam Ajala of Fordham, Kenny Cook of Gardner-Webb, R.J. Harris of New Hampshire and Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington; and tight end MyCole Pruitt of Southern Illinois.

The Walter Payton Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2014 season. Ballots will be sent to a national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The top three vote-getters will be invited to the presentation of the award on Dec. 15 in Philadelphia.

The Sports Network also presents the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Buchanan Award honors the outstanding defensive player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award is bestowed upon the FCS coach of the year.

The 2014 FCS Awards package can be found at http://tinyurl.com/n5ysh8x.