Vidlak, Harris Appear on 2025 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watchlist
7/29/2025 2:50:00 PM | Football
SFA is one of four teams with multiple honorees for award given annually to the nation’s top offensive FCS player
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stats Perform announced a 30-player preseason watchlist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award, presented annually to FCS Football's top offensive player, on Tuesday, July 29. Among the student-athletes represented are a pair of SFA Lumberjacks in senior quarterback Sam Vidlak and senior wide receiver Kylon Harris.
Vidlak joins eight other players as past finalists to earn recognition entering this season, while Harris appears on the list for the first time. While all 13 FCS conferences have a representative, the Lumberjacks are one of just four teams with multiple players on the watchlist joining South Dakota, Jackson State and Illinois State, and are the only squad to have a quarterback and a wide receiver.
Vidlak passed for more than 2,300 yards last fall completing 174 of his 257 attempts for 27 touchdowns. He led the Southland Conference in passing efficiency (177.3), completion percentage (67.7), points responsible for/game (18.0) and yards per attempt (9.29). The 2024 SLC Newcomer of the Year, Vidlak was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award and he enters 2025 with preseason All-America recognition from FCS Football Central.
Harris, a preseason All-America honoree from both Stats Perform and FCS Football Central, is coming off a 2024 season that saw the Louisiana native earn All-American honors from multiple outlets. He set career highs in receptions (87; 2nd most single season SFA), receiving yards (1,039; 2nd SLC) and receiving touchdowns (10) in addition to holding top 20 FCS marks nationally in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards per game (86.6). Harris ranked fourth nationally with a SLC-best 7.3 receptions per game.
In its 39th year, the award's namesake got his start at Jackson State in a career that resulted in induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
There's never been a better time to lock in your seat at Homer Bryce Stadium! Season tickets for the upcoming SFA Football season are on sale now, offering the best value for a six-game home slate. Don't miss a single snap as SFA battles through a thrilling Southland Conference schedule. Visit SFATickets.com to secure your season tickets today and be part of the action all season long.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Vidlak joins eight other players as past finalists to earn recognition entering this season, while Harris appears on the list for the first time. While all 13 FCS conferences have a representative, the Lumberjacks are one of just four teams with multiple players on the watchlist joining South Dakota, Jackson State and Illinois State, and are the only squad to have a quarterback and a wide receiver.
Vidlak passed for more than 2,300 yards last fall completing 174 of his 257 attempts for 27 touchdowns. He led the Southland Conference in passing efficiency (177.3), completion percentage (67.7), points responsible for/game (18.0) and yards per attempt (9.29). The 2024 SLC Newcomer of the Year, Vidlak was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award and he enters 2025 with preseason All-America recognition from FCS Football Central.
Harris, a preseason All-America honoree from both Stats Perform and FCS Football Central, is coming off a 2024 season that saw the Louisiana native earn All-American honors from multiple outlets. He set career highs in receptions (87; 2nd most single season SFA), receiving yards (1,039; 2nd SLC) and receiving touchdowns (10) in addition to holding top 20 FCS marks nationally in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards per game (86.6). Harris ranked fourth nationally with a SLC-best 7.3 receptions per game.
In its 39th year, the award's namesake got his start at Jackson State in a career that resulted in induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
There's never been a better time to lock in your seat at Homer Bryce Stadium! Season tickets for the upcoming SFA Football season are on sale now, offering the best value for a six-game home slate. Don't miss a single snap as SFA battles through a thrilling Southland Conference schedule. Visit SFATickets.com to secure your season tickets today and be part of the action all season long.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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