2007 Walter Payton Award Candidate Capsules

By Rhett Bomar Aug 29, 2007, 20:17 GMT

Philadelphia, PA -

Rhett Bomar, Junior, Quarterback, Sam Houston State

A strong-armed passer, cut in the mold of former Bearkat stars Dustin Long and Josh McCown, Bomar passed for 2,018 yards and 10 TDs as a freshman starter at Oklahoma. Bomar was named MVP of the 2005 Holiday Bowl after passing for 229 yards in a 17-14 victory over Oregon. The 6-2, 215-pound quarterback had a career day in a 36-30 win over Texas A&M, hitting 20-of-28 passes for 229 yards. Transferred to Sam Houston State and sat out last season.

Donald Chapman, Senior, Running Back, Tennessee-Martin

No player has been as important in the turnaround of the UTM program than this hard-working, 5-10, 210-pound tailback. Chapman has the chance to be one of a handful of runners to gain 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He has run for 3,892 yards and 38 TDs in his career, including 1,412 yards and 15 TDs last season as he helped the Skyhawks to a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title and a playoff berth. He put up those totals even while slowed by an ankle injury in the first four games of the season, missing one contest. Has rushed for 200 yards six times, including a 272-yard game as a freshman against Southeast Missouri State.

Liam Coen, Junior, Quarterback, Massachusetts

This consistent signal-caller's ability to avoid mistakes has been a major reason for the Minutemen's success in the past two years. Threw just seven interceptions in the regular season to lead UMass to the Atlantic 10 championship, going five weeks without an interception at one point. Coen ranks fifth among current FCS quarterbacks in career completion percentage at 64.5%, and is fourth in passing efficiency. The 6-2, 220-pound passer's 3,016 throwing yards were the second best single-season mark in school history and his 26 TD passes were the third-best ever. Became a starter as a redshirt freshman in the third week of the season, and has been a Minuteman fixture ever since. Passed for 401 yards against New Hampshire in 2005 and fired five TD passes against Towson last year to tie a school record.

Omar Cuff, Senior, Running Back, Delaware

This enthusiastic runner has been the heart and soul of the Blue Hen offense since becoming a starter late in his freshman year of 2004, after starting the year as a reserve defensive back. Was a key reason for Delaware's run to the NCAA quarterfinals. The 5-10, 195-pound rusher ran for 1,205 yards as a sophomore, with 14 TDs, including a 236-yard performance against defending national champion James Madison. Had 30 points and five TDs in an overtime victory over Lehigh to set Blue Hen records. Also led Delaware in receiving as a sophomore with 41 catches for 414 yards and four TDs. Managed 541 yards and eight TDs last season, despite missing four games with a sprained ankle. Has 2,419 rushing yards 34 total TDs for his career.

Herb Donaldson, Junior, Running Back, Western Illinois

This strong-legged runner broke onto the national scene in 2006 with a Western Illinois and Gateway Conference-record 328 yards and six TDs against Indiana State. He had 282 yards in one half. Donaldson finished the season with 1,417 yards and 18 TDs. The 5-11, 220-pound bruiser saw limited duty as a redshirt freshman, running just 12 times for 54 yards and one TD, while playing primarily on special teams. He returned five kickoffs for 71 yards. Finished ninth nationally with 128.8 yards per game to set a Leatherneck sophomore record as he rushed for 100 or more yards in seven games. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry. Donaldson also caught 14 passes for 116 yards.

Luke Drone, Senior, Quarterback, Illinois State

The success of Illinois State in the past two years has been directly related to the emergence of this strong-armed, big-play passer. The 6-2, 210-pound quarterback has thrown for 5,891 yards and 43 TDs, all but 10 yards of that total in the past two years as the starter. Drone passed for 440 yards in 2005 against Indiana State and fired five TD passes against Indiana State and Drake. His 2,930 yards in 2005 were the second-best single-season total in school history. He was even better as a junior, throwing for 2,961 yards and 22 TDs to lead the Redbirds to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Had eight games of 200 yards or better passing in 2006. Threw just six interceptions during the regular season, as he led the Gateway Conference in passing efficiency.

Jerome Felton, Senior, Fullback, Furman

Considered by many experts to be the top fullback in all of college football, Felton is one of the most versatile performers in FCS. In an era where most teams limit the duties of fullbacks to blocking and occasionally catching passes out of the backfield, this hard-working, 6-0, 246-pounder excels at running, blocking and receiving. Despite suffering a badly sprained ankle in 2006, Felton rushed for 707 yards and a 4.4 average yards per carry. He had 23 TDs on the ground, including four against North Carolina and six against Western Carolina in back-to-back weeks. He has 51 TDs and 1,947 yards rushing in his career. Ran for 940 yards, 18 TDs and a 5.2 average in 2005 as he helped carry the Paladins to the playoff semifinals before losing to eventual national champion Appalachian State. Had 300 yards and 10 TDs as a freshman as Furman advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to James Madison, which won the NCAA title. Has 36 catches for 280 yards and three TDs as a receiver, and has converted five two-point conversions on five attempts in his career.

Lex Hilliard, Senior, Running Back, Montana

This hard-charging runner has a chance to become the all-time rushing leader in Montana history after overcoming Achilles tendon surgery that cost him the 2006 season. The 6-0, 235-pound tailback has the ability to run inside, or outside. Hilliard has rushed for 2,884 yards, a 5.1 average and 34 TDs in three years. Emerged down the stretch in 2004 to help guide the Grizzlies to the NCAA championship game, running for 972 yards and scoring 17 TDs, though he started just four games. Had an outstanding junior year in 2005, running for 1,322 yards and 12 TDs. His 237-yard performance against one of the top defenses in the FCS, Cal Poly, was the second-best, single-game total in school history. Made a mark as a freshman in 2003 by rushing for 590 yards. Has caught 42 passes for 472 yards and two TDs in his career.

Josh Johnson, Senior, Quarterback, San Diego

Playing in Jim Harbaugh's pass-oriented offense, this multi-talented star has put up big numbers in the past two seasons. Johnson has thrown for 7,849 yards and has rushed for 1,138 more, while accounting for 88 TDs. An athletic, 6-3, 200-pound pro prospect, he threw for 3,256 yards as a sophomore and followed it up with 3,320 yards as a junior. Has 70 TD passes, with only 14 interceptions, while completing 67.8% of his passes. Has also caught three passes for 30 yards and one touchdown. Fired five TD passes for 379 yards to lead the Toreros to a PFL championship win over Morehead State in 2005. Led San Diego to another PFL title and a win in the first Gridiron Classic game that matched the PFL winner against Monmouth, the champion of the Northeast Conference, with 180 yards passing and 104 yards rushing. Passed for 345 yards, had 415 yards of total offense and four TDs against Ivy League co-champ Yale last season. Was first in the NCAA in passing efficiency in 2006 after finishing second to Grambling's Bruce Eugene in 2005. Has four career games of more than 400 yards of total offense.

Mike McLeod, Junior, Running Back, Yale

This consistent, hard-working runner is moving up the Yale career record charts quickly with two seasons left in his college career. McLeod is fourth in career rushing TDs (25), seventh in rushing yard (2,053) and fifth in rushing attempts (490) already. The 5-11, 200-pound runner had a breakout season in 2006 with 1,364 yards and 19 TDs as he helped the Bulldogs win a share of the Ivy League title. He ran for 100 yards or more in eight straight games last season, including 204 against Lehigh. Had 181 yards and four TDs against co-Ivy League champion Princeton. As a freshman, he rushed just eight times for 102 yards and a touchdown in his first game. Also caught 21 passes for 222 yards last season. His 20 total TDs and 19 rushing scores in 2006 were Yale records. Had three TDs in season-ending win over Harvard, which broke a five-game losing streak against the Bulldogs' arch rival.

Kevin Richardson, Senior, Running Back, Appalachian State

One of the hardest workers on a two-time national championship team, this former unwanted walk-on has established himself as one of the top runners in FCS in the past two years and has been a catalyst in the Mountaineers' no- huddle, spread attack. Richardson was named playoff MVP after rushing for 611 yards and 11 TDs in four playoff games. Scored an FCS-record 31 TDs, 30 of them on the ground, including four in the national championship win against UMass. The 5-9, 190-pound runner is known for his ability to read holes and he has rushed for 1,433 and 1,676 yards in the past two years. He is closing in on most of ASU's career rushing records held by former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler John Settle. He has 3,456 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and 53 total TDs for his career. Richardson is also an outstanding receiver, with 98 catches for 961 yards (9.8 yards per catch) in his career. Has 14 100-yard rushing performances, including a 208-yard game in 2005 against Georgia Southern.

Eric Sanders, Senior, Quarterback, Northern Iowa

This former walk-on became a starter as a redshirt freshman and has proven himself to be a tremendous leader, with a knack for late comebacks. Sanders has passed for 6,170 yards and has run for 461 yards, while accounting for 60 TDs during his stellar career. Impressively efficient as a passer, this 6-1, 190-pound competitor is 23-8 as a starter. Was a major reason for Northern Iowa advancing to its first national championship game in 2005, hitting 87- of-127 passes for 1,113 yards and seven TDs. Has completed an incredible 477- of 711 pass attempts (66%) during his career, while being picked off just 17 times. Passed for 330 yards to lead the Panthers from behind for a first-round playoff win against Eastern Washington in 2005 and keyed another comeback with 417 yards and four TDs in an overtime win in the semifinals against Texas State. Passed for 2,929 yards, with 23 TDs and just five interceptions during his sophomore campaign.

Ricky Santos, Senior, Quarterback, New Hampshire

Since coming off the bench in his first game as a freshman to lead an upset of defending national champion Delaware, Santos has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in FCS history. He has an outside chance of beating Steve McNair's FCS career passing mark of 14,496 yards, heading into the season with 10,240 yards. This fiery leader has 99 career TD passes and has rushed for 1,160 yards and 21 more TDs on the ground. He also has a TD receiving for 121 total touchdowns. Santos won the 2006 Payton Award after finishing just five points behind Eastern Washington quarterback Erik Meyer in 2005, the closest Payton Award balloting of all-time. Santos passed for 3,318 yards and 31 TDs as freshman, and followed that up with 3,797 yards and 39 TDs as a sophomore. Functioning in a more balanced attack in 2006, the 6-2, 215- pound passer still threw for 3,125 yards and 29 TDs. He also had 12 TDs running the football. Has led New Hampshire to three consecutive quarterfinal finishes in the playoffs. Completed 70% of his passes in 2005 and has completed 67% of his throws during his college career.

Sean Schaefer, Junior, Quarterback, Towson

A common denominator to the rise of the Tigers as a playoff contender has been the arrival of Schaefer as the starting quarterback. The 6-1, 205-pound passer went virtually unrecruited out of high school, but started all 11 games as a freshman and has been a fixture in the lineup ever since. He threw for 2,772 yards and 20 TDs as a first-year player, and improved on that with 3,033 yards and 19 TDs as a sophomore. He already has seven games with 300 or more yards passing, including games of 435 yards and five TDs against Delaware and 458 yards and three TDs against Hofstra last year. Schaefer, who led the NCAA in passing last year, has completed 65% of his throws. He cut his interception total from 17 as a freshman to just nine last year. While not known for his running ability, Schaefer has run for five touchdowns.

Jerome Simpson, Senior, Wide Receiver, Coastal Carolina

This acrobatic pass-catcher broke into the national spotlight in 2005 with a one-handed catch against defending national champion James Madison to key a late comeback win. He had 10 receptions for 162 yards in that victory. Simpson possesses a strong combination of speed, great hands and graceful athleticism that has allowed him to grab 120 passes for 2,023 yards and 33 TDs during his Coastal Carolina career. The 6-2, 185-pound receiver vaulted to the head of the class in FCS as a junior with 61 catches for 1,077 yards and 16 TDs. Had 33 receptions for 527 yards and nine TDs as a sophomore and caught 26 passes for 419 yards and eight TDs as a freshman. Also was a member of the 2006 Big South Men's Track and Field championship team as a high jumper and long jumper. He qualified for the 2007 NCAA championships as a long jumper and was on a team that finished third in the 1,600-meter relay at the Big South championships.

Alex Watson, Senior, Wide Receiver, Northern Arizona

A consensus All-American at receiver last season, this versatile speedster caught 82 passes for 1,017 yards and 15 touchdowns as junior last season. Watson is also a threat as a kickoff and punt return man. He ran back five kickoffs for 103 yards and 11 punts for 88 yards. The 5-10, 185-pound speedster earned national attention last season when he almost led Northern Arizona to an upset of Arizona State. Watson caught 12 passes for 212 yards against the Sun Devils to earn national player of the week honors. Five of his six 100-yard receiving games came last season. He was the favorite target of NAU quarterback Jason Murrietta, who finished second for the Payton Award last season in a close vote with Ricky Santos. He had 50 catches for 566 yards as a sophomore for 566 yards and three TDs. This elusive performer has 132 catches for 1,583 yards and 18 TDs in his career, and has rang up 1,774 all-purpose yards. Had 13 catches in a game against Portland State and 12 against Idaho State.

Steven Whitehead, Senior, Kick Returner/Receiver, McNeese State

An all-purpose performer similar to some of McNeese State's offensive greats of the past like B.J. Sams, Whitehead is dangerous whenever he touches the ball. Despite being only 5-8 and 170 pounds, Whitehead has piled up 3,208 yards, with nine touchdowns. A consensus All-American as a kick returner last season as a junior, Whitehead has averaged nearly 25 yards per kick return and 13 yards per punt return during his career. After a breakthrough sophomore campaign, where he caught 49 passes for 139 yards, he pulled in 47 receptions for 596 yards and three TDs last season. The Cowboys will be looking for more ways to get Whitehead into play this season. He had 249 all-purpose yards last season against Texas State and 222 yards against Northwestern State.

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