University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Penning named to 2021 Walter Payton Award watch list
11/10/2021 10:54:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI football's Trevor Penning is the first offensive lineman to be named to this year's Walter Payton Award watch list.
Penning was among 11 players added today, which now includes 46 players. The 2021 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
The Payton Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary season. It's named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.
Penning became the first Panther to earn the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week award Oct. 25 following UNI's win over No. 6 South Dakota State. He also earned MVFC First Team Preseason honors.
Newest members by position:
Quarterback
Offensive Line
Past Panthers who earned Walter Payton Award nominations:
Also this season, Stats Perform will present 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) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year. UNI's Jared Brinkman, a defensive lineman, was a finalist for the award last year and is on the watch list for the 2021-22 Buck Buchanan Award.
Read more on this story from The Analyst by clicking here.
Penning was among 11 players added today, which now includes 46 players. The 2021 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
The Payton Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary season. It's named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.
Penning became the first Panther to earn the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week award Oct. 25 following UNI's win over No. 6 South Dakota State. He also earned MVFC First Team Preseason honors.
Newest members by position:
Quarterback
- Davis Alexander, Portland State
- Ren Hefley, Presbyterian
- Keon Howard, UT Martin
- Cole Johnson, James Madison
- Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State
- Jason Shelley, Missouri State
- Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State
- Malik Grant, Sacred Heart
- Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State
- Wide Receiver
- Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin
Offensive Line
- Trevor Penning, UNI
Past Panthers who earned Walter Payton Award nominations:
- 1996 Dedric Ward (5th)
- 1999 Ryan Helming (14th)
- 2000 Ryan Helming (5th)
- 2003 Terrance Freeney (5th)
- 2007 Eric Sanders (2nd)
- Chad Rinehart (22nd)
- 2011 Tirrell Rennie (12th)
- 2014 David Johnson (10th)
Also this season, Stats Perform will present 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) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year. UNI's Jared Brinkman, a defensive lineman, was a finalist for the award last year and is on the watch list for the 2021-22 Buck Buchanan Award.
Read more on this story from The Analyst by clicking here.
Players Mentioned
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