RICHMOND, Ky. – One day after being named a Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American, EKU quarterback Parker McKinney garnered another impressive accolade on Wednesday, earning a place on the Walter Payton Award Watch List.

The Walter Payton Award, presented by FedEx Ground, honors the FCS national offensive player of the year and 35 players are on the initial watch list for 2023. First presented in 1987, the award is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, its past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.

McKinney, one of 17 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list, ranked in the top five in the FCS for passing yards per game (3,956), passing yards per game (329.7), points responsible for (258), points responsible for game (21.5), total offense per game (359.2), and passing touchdowns (33) last season. The Colonels' all-time passing leader, McKinney owns single-season and career records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass attempts, completions, and total offense. The Coalfield, Tenn., native was named the Phil Steele UAC Preseason Player of the Year and has been tabbed a preseason All-American by Stats Perform FCS and The Bluebloods. He was named to the Payton Award preseason watch list last season and was also a finalist for the award in 2022. 

McKinney will kick off his final season at EKU on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. as the Colonels travel to Cincinnati.

Season and single-game tickets are available for purchase at this link. Fans may also purchase by contacting the EKU Ticket Office at 859-622-2122, or Raymond White at raymond.white@eku.edu.