FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 31, 2019) – Northern Arizona University football senior quarterback
Case Cookus and junior punter
DJ Arnson have been to national preseason award watch lists that were recently announced.
Cookus has been selected to the 25-player watch list for the 2019 Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the offensive player of the year in NCAA FCS Football and is often referred to as the "Heisman Trophy" of the FCS.
First awarded in 1987, former winners of the Walter Payton Award include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, John Friesz, Brian Finneran, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp, each of whom went on to have successful careers in the NFL.
Cookus boasts 7,968 passing yards and 74 touchdown passes in his career. He is 20 touchdown passes shy of becoming NAU's all-time leader in that category and 3,432 shy of taking over the lead in aerial yards. Over his career, Cookus has compiled 11 games with over 300 passing yards and three 400-plus yard efforts.
Arnson was recognized with mention to the watch list for the inaugural FCS Punter of the Year Award, which is awarded by the Augusts (Ga.) Sports Council and has been the home of the Ray Guy Award that honors the top punter at the FBS level since 2000.
A total of 28 players are listed to the inaugural watch list including Arnson, who ranked third nationally in 2018 among all FCS punters with an average of 44.6 yards per boot. He blasted a total of 16 punts 50 yards or further and pinned 15 inside the 20-yard line. For the season, Arnson registered a total of 2,410 yards on 54 punts, while averaging 45.0 yards or more per punt in eight of 10 games.
The FCS Punter of the Year preseason watch list was chosen based on 2018 All-Americans, 2018 all-conference selections, and conference nominations. Players were reviewed based on their eligibility and inclusion on their team's 2019 roster. Finalists will be announced in December and the winner announced in early January.
A variety of NAU Football ticket packages are currently on sale for the 2019 season. Fans can purchase tickets online at nauathletics.com/tickets or by calling the Lumberjack Ticket Office at 928-523-0639.
2019 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List
Tyrie Adams, Western Carolina, QB, R-Sr., 6-2, 180
Troy Andersen, Montana State, ATH, Jr., 6-3, 215
Kenji Bahar, Monmouth, QB, R-Sr., 6-3, 190
Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington, QB, R-Jr., 6-0, 200
Michael Bandy, San Diego, WR, Sr., 5-11, 190
Grant Breneman, Colgate, QB, Jr., 6-1, 220
Case Cookus, Northern Arizona, QB, R-Sr., 6-4, 205
Zerrick Cooper, Jacksonville State, QB, R-Jr., 6-4, 230
Tom Flacco, Towson, QB, R-Sr., 6-1, 208
Chase Fourcade, Nicholls, QB, Sr., 6-0, 190
A.J. Hines, Duquesne, RB, Sr., 5-11, 225
Cade Johnson, South Dakota State, WR, R-Jr., 5-10, 175
Noah Johnson, Alcorn State, QB, R-Sr., 6-0, 195
Reed Klubnik, Yale, WR, Sr., 6-3, 200
Jake Maier, UC Davis, QB, R-Sr., 6-0, 200
Caylin Newton, Howard, QB, Jr., 6-0, 195
Bryce Nunnelly, Chattanooga, WR, Jr., 6-2, 190
Aaron Parker, Rhode Island, WR, Sr., 6-3, 191
Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State, WR, R-Sr., 6-4, 205
James Robinson, Illinois State, RB, Sr., 5-10, 220
Shane Simpson, Towson, RB/RS, R-Sr., 5-9, 200
Nathan Stewart, Sam Houston State, WR, Sr., 6-0 180
Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State, TE, Sr., 6-3, 245
Adam Trautman, Dayton, TE, R-Sr., 6-6, 253
De'Shawn Waller, Alcorn State, RB, Sr., 5-10, 210
2019 FCS Punter of the Year Preseason Watch List
DJ Arnson, Northern Arizona
JT Bohlken, Illinois State
Matthew Campbell, The Citadel
Luke Carter, Wofford
Cade Coffey, Idaho
Anthony Craven, Alabama State
Steve Dawson, Murray State
Brad Dennis, Campbell
Chris Faddoul, Florida A&M
Andrew Foster, Morehead State
Joe Gurley, North Alabama
Brad Hurst, Georgetown
Winston Jones, Nicholls State
Ross Kennedy, Drake
Tanner Kulhan, San Diego
Doug Lloyd, Weber State
Mitch Maczura, Duquesne
Corey McCullough, Alcorn State
Andrew Mevis, Fordham
Harry O'Kelly, James Madison
Alex Pechin, Bucknell
Nick Pritchard, Delaware
Kyle Reighard, Charleston Southern
Jake Reynolds, Southeast Missouri
Drew Sanborn, New Hampshire
Jon Sot, Harvard
Garret Wegner, North Dakota State
Daniel Whelan, UC Davis
