Gillman named to Payton Award Watch List

Two years ago, Eli Gillman won the Jerry Rice Award for the top freshman in FCS football. Now he's in the hunt for the Walter Payton Award, presented annually to the subdivision's best offensive player in any class.

On Tuesday, Gillman was one of 30 players from around the nation named to the 2025 Stats Perform Walter Payton Award Watch List, also known as the "Heisman of the FCS." The Grizzly running back was one of three players from the Big Sky Conference, and one of only four juniors to earn a place on the list.

It's yet another preseason feather in Gillman's cap, who has been on nearly all the early watch lists leading up to the 2025 season. And for good reason.

The native of Dassel, Minnesota, is on track to rewrite Montana's record book, entering his junior year already ranked fifth in program history with 28 rushing touchdowns and seventh in rushing yards (2,137) and total touchdowns (30).

On Monday he was named to the Shrine Bowl 1,000 as one of the top NFL Draft prospects in the country. He's also been named to multiple preseason All-America teams and was named preseason All-Big Sky at the league's football kickoff in Spokane.

He's coming off a career-high 1,104 net yards in his sophomore season where he became the first Grizzly in a decade to tote the ball for over 1,000 yards. Even more impressive is that he did it as one half of a two-back system. The two-time all-conference also enters the year having tallied eight 100-plus yard rushing games, including three-straight in 2024.

The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists.

Also this season, 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), HBCU National Player of the Year and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be handed out at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Presentation.

2025 Walter Payton Award 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

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Eli Gillman

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