Josh Davis named to Walter Payton Award watch list

Weber State standout running back Josh Davis has been named to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award. The 35-player watch list was released Wednesday by Stats Perform.

Davis is one of four players from the Big Sky named to the list.

The Draper, Utah native is also a preseason All-Big Sky and preseason All-America selection.

Davis is back for his junior season with the Wildcats this fall. He is a two-time All-American and a three-time All-Big Sky first team selection. He is won of six players in WSU history to earn all-conference first team honors three times. He won the Jerry Rice Award in 2018 as the National Freshman of the Year.

Davis enters the 2021 season ranked fourth in Weber State history in career rushing yards with 2,884 yards and 21 touchdowns. He is also eighth in all-purpose yards with 3,711 yards.

More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and a national media panel will select the winner following it. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past winners such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.

The Wildcats have won four straight Big Sky Championships, including capturing the title in the spring 2021 season. WSU finished 5-0 in league play during the spring season for their first outright conference title.

Weber State also advanced to its fifth straight appearance in the FCS Playoffs.

The Wildcats were picked first in the Big Sky preseason polls and had seven players named to the all-conference preseason team. Weber State also ranks in the top 10 in preseason national polls and the Wildcats return four All-Americans and 13 players that earned All-Big Sky honors last season.

Head coach Jay Hill returns for his eighth season at Weber State and was named the Big Sky Coach of the Year during the spring 2021 season.

Weber State opens the 2021 season on Thursday, September 2 at Utah. The home opener is set for September 18 against FCS powerhouse James Madison. WSU also hosts UC Davis, Montana State, Portland State and Northern Colorado in Big Sky play.

This season, all home games and Big Sky games will be streamed on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. The October 15 home game against Montana State will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

Season tickets for Wildcat football are on sale now.

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