FAMU QB Stanley names to Payton Award watch list

Special to the Outlook

Ryan Stanley has rewritten four school records held by Quinn Gray.
Photo Special to the Outlook

FAMU redshirt senior quarterback Ryan Stanley was named to the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award Watch List last Monday.

Stanley, who was named to the College Football Performance Award (CFPA) Midseason FCS Watch List, has set numerous records this season.

A native of Pembroke Pines, Stanley owns four career school passing records and surpassed Quinn Gray in those categories, which include passing completions (675), passing attempts (1,117), passing yards (8,252) and touchdowns (60). In addition, he owns the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) record in passing completions and ranks second in passing yards, fourth in touchdown passes and fifth in passing attempts.

This season, Stanley is 159 of 261 passing for 1,928 yards, with 19 touchdown passes to just four interceptions. Also, he has rushed 23 times for 35 yards.

A two-time MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honoree, Stanley threw for a career-high 427 yards, which was the sixth highest in school history, in a win over South Carolina State this season.

The CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year award winner will be announced on Jan. 15.

The Walter Payton Award is given to the offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision and first awarded in 1987.

Previous winners of the award include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, John Friesz, Brian Finneran, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.

The 2019 winner will be announced in January during FCS Championship week and will be the 33rd recipient in award history.

FAMU has won eight straight and is ranked No. 15 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 16 in the STATS FCS Top 25, is coming off a bye week.

The Rattlers return to action on Saturday against Howard. Kickoff against the Bison is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN3.