Atkinson Among 30 Finalists For Walter Payton Award
11/25/2025 6:39:00 PM | Football
MACON – A record-breaking rookie campaign was richly rewarded for Braden Atkinson on Tuesday afternoon when the freshman quarterback was named among 30 finalists for the Walter Payton Award which is presented to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
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The award, in its 39th 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, Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance.
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All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
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Atkinson, a native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts this season, including a school record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25.
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He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.
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Atkinson currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).
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The sixth-seeded Bears (9-2, 8-0 SoCon) will begin their road in the NCAA postseason on December 6 when they suit up to take on either 11th-seeded South Dakota (8-4) or Drake (8-3) in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Kickoff has been scheduled for noon at Five Star Stadium.
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Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.
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The award, in its 39th 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, Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance.
Â
All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
Â
Atkinson, a native of Rolesville, N.C., and a product of Rolesville High School, has completed 68.1 percent (250-for-367) of his pass attempts this season and has already broken school single-season records for passing completions (250), attempts (367), yards (3,448) and touchdowns (34). He has thrown for 300 or more yards in eight of his 10 starts this season, including a school record 533 yards amid Mercer's 62-0 home win over VMI on October 25.
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He has also, thrice, matched the program's single-game superlative for passing touchdowns with five scoring tosses against Samford, VMI and Chattanooga.
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Atkinson currently ranks second among all FCS signal callers in passing yards, passing yards per game (344.8), passing touchdowns and completions per game (25.00), while ranking third, nationally, in points responsible for per game (21.0), total offense per game (345.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.40).
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The sixth-seeded Bears (9-2, 8-0 SoCon) will begin their road in the NCAA postseason on December 6 when they suit up to take on either 11th-seeded South Dakota (8-4) or Drake (8-3) in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Kickoff has been scheduled for noon at Five Star Stadium.
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Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.
Players Mentioned
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