FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 14, 2026) – Northern Arizona quarterback
Ty Pennington was among 30 players named to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List announced on Tuesday.
The Walter Payton Award, entering its 40th anniversary, is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in the FCS. The award, known as the Heisman of the FCS, is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career.
Pennington is among 11 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list, three of whom are from the Big Sky Conference. Affirming the strength of the Big Sky Conference, the league has eight players on the list, the most of any FCS conference.
Pennington's inclusion on the watch list comes on the 30th anniversary of the Lumberjacks' lone Walter Payton Award winner. NAU Athletics Hall of Fame running back Archie Amerson received the honor in 1996. NAU's most recent finalist for the award was Case Cookus, who is set to enter the NAU Athletics Hall of Fame himself in September, in 2019.
Pennington, an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selection last season, threw for 3,116 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2025. The Sand Springs, Okla. native ranked 10th in the FCS in passing yards per game (259.7) and total offense (275.6) and was in the top 30 in virtually every passing category.
For the full Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, click this
link.
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