University of Richmond Athletics
DeGennaro Named To Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List
07/30/2024 | Football
The award, in its 38th season and affectionately 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. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance. DeGennaro is one of 35 players nationwide to make the list, and is one of five (only wide receiver) to come from the CAA. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists.
DeGennaro earns the honor after the 2023 season saw him start all 13 games on his way to being named Second Team All-CAA. He tied the program record for touchdowns in a single season, hauling in 11. He recorded 71 receptions for 904 yards and averaged 5.5 receptions and 54.8 yards per game. He recorded three touchdowns in a win over Maine, tying the program record for most in a single game. Against No. 22, Rhode Island, he caught a career-long 69 yard reception and scored two touchdowns to help Richmond pull off the upset win. Just last week he was named the Shrine Bowl 1000, recognizing the top college football players in the country. So far this offseason he's been named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, was named Preseason All-Conference by the CAA, a preseason All-American by FCS Football Central and was tabbed the fifth-best wide receiver returning in 2024 by HERO Sports.
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), Urban Edge Network HBCU+ Player of the Year and FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be presented at the Stats Perform national awards banquet on Jan. 5 in Frisco, Tex.
The 2024 Walter Payton Award preseason watch list:
Quarterbacks
Chase Artopoeus, Chattanooga, Sr., 6-2, 208 (Southern Conference)
Luke Bailey, Drake, R-Sr., 6-2, 190 (Pioneer Football League)
Zach Calzada, UIW, Grad, 6-4, 200 (Southland Conference)
Myles Crawley, Grambling State, R-Sr., 6-3, 185 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Paxton DeLaurent, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 6-5, 229 (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Cole Gonzales, Western Carolina, Jr., 6-0, 195 (Southern Conference) – 2023 Finalist
Mark Gronowski, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-3, 225 (Missouri Valley Football Conference) – 2023 Recipient
Pierce Holley, Eastern Illinois, Gr., 6-2, 215 (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Tommy Mellott, Montana State, Sr., 6-0, 209 (Big Sky Conference) – 2022 Finalist
Cam Miller, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 213 (Missouri Valley Football Conference) – 2023 Finalist
CJ Montes, Fordham, Jr., 6-2, 205 (Patriot League) – 2023 Finalist
Darius Perrantes, Duquesne, Sr., 6-0, 220 (Northeast Conference) – 2023 Finalist
Connor Watkins, Villanova, Grad, 6-3, 225 (CAA Football)
Jake Willcox, Brown, Fifth Year, 6-2, 195 (Ivy League) – 2023 Finalis
Running Backs
Mari Adams, Davidson, Jr., 5-10, 210 (Pioneer Football League)
Kayvon Britten, Tarleton State, Sr., 5-7, 195 (United Athletic Conference)
Jamar Curtis, Lafayette, Jr., 5-8, 164 (Patriot League) – 2023 Finalist
Tyvon Edmonds Jr., Robert Morris, Sr., 5-8, 180 (Northeast Conference)
Jordan Fuller, Holy Cross, Sr., 6-0, 231 (Patriot League)
Jarrett Hunter, Howard, R-Sr., 5-10, 205 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Mason King, Illinois State, Sr., 6-2, 215 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Lan Larison, UC Davis, Sr., 6-0, 195 (Big Sky Conference) – 2023 Finalist
ShunDerrick Powell, Central Arkansas, Sr., 5-9, 180 (United Athletic Conference) – 2022 Finalist
Jaylon Spears, Nicholls, Jr., 5-10, 200 (Southland Conference)
Marcus Yarns, Delaware, Grad, 5-11, 183 (CAA Football)
Bronson Yoder, William & Mary, Sr., 5-11, 210 (CAA Football)
Wide Receivers
Junior Bergen, Montana, Sr., 5-11, 180 (Big Sky Conference)
Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington, Sr., 5-11, 200 (Big Sky Conference)
Nick DeGennaro, Richmond, R-Sr., 6-1, 190 (CAA Football)
Jared Richardson, Penn, Jr., 6-2, 215 (Ivy League)
Donovan Wadley, Merrimack, Jr., 5-9, 180 (FCS Independent)
Javin Whatley, Chattanooga, Jr., 5-10, 170 (Southern Conference)
Offensive Linemen
Zack Gieg, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 6-1, 290 (Big South-OVC Football Association)
Charles Grant, William & Mary, Sr., 6-4, 280 (CAA Football)
Marcus Wehr, Montana State, Sr., 6-4, 292 (Big Sky Conference)
