Mortimer, Ennis Named to National FCS Player of the Year Watch Lists
7/14/2026 12:02:00 PM | Football
Mortimer among preseason Walter Payton Award selections; Ennis eyes Buck Buchanan Award, one of five past finalists on ’26 list
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The preseason watch lists for two of the Football Championship Subdivision's (FCS) most prestigious awards were announced on Tuesday morning. Senior wide receiver and electric return man Bugs Mortimer was among the 30-player list for the Walter Payton Award which is presented annually to the FCS offensive player of the year and is celebrating its 40thanniversary this fall. Eli Ennis, a veteran linebacker and newcomer to the Piney Woods, is one of five past finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in the FCS, among the 30 players selected to the 2026 preseason watch list.
On Monday, both Mortimer and Ennis were tabbed to FCS Stats Perform Preseason All-America teams. Mortimer was selected as the first-team punt returner, while Ennis landed on the second team at linebacker.
Mortimer's inclusion on the WPA watch list is as a wide receiver. Over four seasons, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native has hauled in 60 passes for 636 yards and a touchdown. Last season, he recorded a career high 28 receptions. For his career, which spans 35 games, Mortimer has recorded over 1,400 all-purpose yards. He is the lone player from the Southland Conference on the watch list.
As an All-SLC first team punt returner, Mortimer led all NCAA divisions with four punt return touchdowns and paced the FCS with 21.5 yards per return in 2025. His 537 punt return yards set a new program and SLC single season record, while his 159 punt return yards against Nicholls broke a 41-year-old school record. A two-time SLC Special Teams Player of the Week and Stats Perform FCS National ST Player of the Week; Mortimer became the first SFA return man to receive AA honors since 2011.
The iconic award, 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 and Cooper Kupp. Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 winner, returns this season, seeking to become the third two-time recipient after quarterbacks Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State, 2008-09) and Jeremiah Briscoe (Sam Houston State, 2016-17).
The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the 2026 watch list, which includes 10 past finalists.
Ennis is no stranger to the Southland having played 32 games for Nicholls over his first three collegiate seasons and he joins the SFA linebacker room after spending the 2025 season at UAB. He was named the SLC Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American in 2022 and was a finalist for the Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award given to the FCS Freshman of the Year. Two seasons later, he was among the Buck Buchanan Award finalists.
The Ohatchee, Alabama native has over 200 career tackles, including 105 solo and a collective 31 for loss. He has produced seven sacks, 11 passes defended with three interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He is one of three players from the Southland Conference on the list joining Lamar defensive lineman Andrew Huff and Southeastern Louisiana linebacker Jake Dalmado.
The award, in its 32nd season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past Buchanan recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen; Mercer's Andrew Zock was the 2025 winner.
The Buck Buchanan Award was first presented in 1995. All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the 2026 watch list, which includes five past finalists.
SFA opens the 2026 season on August 29 in Lake Charles against McNeese. The Jacks host East Texas A&M on September 5 in the home opener and the lone game in Nacogdoches through the first four weeks of the season.
SEASON 100: ON THE HEELS OF HISTORY
The 2026 season will be the eighth for head coach Colby Carthel as the SFA football program hits the century mark in gridiron campaigns. The Lumberjacks are coming off a historic 2025 that saw SFA capture the program's fifth SLC title and first since 2010, while making the program's ninth FCS postseason appearance. That title came behind the program's first eight-win conference season and first perfect finish in league play in 99 seasons. The Jacks reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in program history, and the 11 victories last fall are the most since the '95 campaign.
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 looks to defend its Southland Conference title. Visit www.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.
On Monday, both Mortimer and Ennis were tabbed to FCS Stats Perform Preseason All-America teams. Mortimer was selected as the first-team punt returner, while Ennis landed on the second team at linebacker.
Mortimer's inclusion on the WPA watch list is as a wide receiver. Over four seasons, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native has hauled in 60 passes for 636 yards and a touchdown. Last season, he recorded a career high 28 receptions. For his career, which spans 35 games, Mortimer has recorded over 1,400 all-purpose yards. He is the lone player from the Southland Conference on the watch list.
As an All-SLC first team punt returner, Mortimer led all NCAA divisions with four punt return touchdowns and paced the FCS with 21.5 yards per return in 2025. His 537 punt return yards set a new program and SLC single season record, while his 159 punt return yards against Nicholls broke a 41-year-old school record. A two-time SLC Special Teams Player of the Week and Stats Perform FCS National ST Player of the Week; Mortimer became the first SFA return man to receive AA honors since 2011.
The iconic award, 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 and Cooper Kupp. Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 winner, returns this season, seeking to become the third two-time recipient after quarterbacks Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State, 2008-09) and Jeremiah Briscoe (Sam Houston State, 2016-17).
The Walter Payton Award was first presented in 1987. All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the 2026 watch list, which includes 10 past finalists.
Ennis is no stranger to the Southland having played 32 games for Nicholls over his first three collegiate seasons and he joins the SFA linebacker room after spending the 2025 season at UAB. He was named the SLC Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American in 2022 and was a finalist for the Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award given to the FCS Freshman of the Year. Two seasons later, he was among the Buck Buchanan Award finalists.
The Ohatchee, Alabama native has over 200 career tackles, including 105 solo and a collective 31 for loss. He has produced seven sacks, 11 passes defended with three interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He is one of three players from the Southland Conference on the list joining Lamar defensive lineman Andrew Huff and Southeastern Louisiana linebacker Jake Dalmado.
The award, in its 32nd season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past Buchanan recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen; Mercer's Andrew Zock was the 2025 winner.
The Buck Buchanan Award was first presented in 1995. All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the 2026 watch list, which includes five past finalists.
SFA opens the 2026 season on August 29 in Lake Charles against McNeese. The Jacks host East Texas A&M on September 5 in the home opener and the lone game in Nacogdoches through the first four weeks of the season.
SEASON 100: ON THE HEELS OF HISTORY
The 2026 season will be the eighth for head coach Colby Carthel as the SFA football program hits the century mark in gridiron campaigns. The Lumberjacks are coming off a historic 2025 that saw SFA capture the program's fifth SLC title and first since 2010, while making the program's ninth FCS postseason appearance. That title came behind the program's first eight-win conference season and first perfect finish in league play in 99 seasons. The Jacks reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in program history, and the 11 victories last fall are the most since the '95 campaign.
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 looks to defend its Southland Conference title. Visit www.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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