A Prestigious Watch List
Carson Gresock, a senior running back at Gardner‑Webb University, has been selected for the Walter Payton Award Watch List, an honor that celebrates the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
During the previous season Gresock amassed 120 carries for 798 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per rush, and he scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. His most explosive performance came against Lindenwood, where he accounted for four rushing touchdowns.
The Walter Payton Award, now in its 40th year, is often referred to as the Heisman of the FCS. Named for the legendary running back who starred at Jackson State University, the award has previously been bestowed upon notable NFL alumni such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.
Romo captured the trophy in 2002 and Garoppolo in 2013, making them the only players from the Ohio Valley Conference to achieve that distinction. The list of past recipients reads like a who’s who of recent NFL stars.
A national media panel will ultimately determine the winner after the regular season, selecting from a pool of finalists that may still expand before the voting period closes.
Stats Perform, the organization that administers the award alongside other recognitions like the Buck Buchanan Award and the Jerry Rice Award, continues to shape the narrative of FCS excellence through its statistical expertise and media partnerships.
Gresock’s inclusion underscores the rising competitiveness of Gardner‑Webb’s program and highlights the conference’s growing influence on the national stage.