EASTON, Pa. – Sophomore running back Jamar Curtis has been a key element in Lafayette's offense and a primary reason that Lafayette football has rung up a nine-win season for the first time since 1981. On Tuesday, he was announced as one of 30 finalists for the 2023 Walter Payton Award, given annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football and presented by FedEx Ground.
 
Curtis leads the Patriot League and ranks second in the nation with 133.3 yards per game. He is also fourth in the nation with 1,333 total rushing yards and 18^th with an average of with 6.5 yards per carry. The sophomore is the first Leopard since 2013 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season to go along with 13 scores on the ground.
 
The Waldorf, Md. native has churned out seven 100-yard rushing games in 2023 and eight for his career. Curtis' last outing saw him run for 166 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-21 rivalry win over Lehigh. That triumph clinched a Patriot League title and an NCAA FCS Playoff berth. He is also a threat through the air with 16 receptions for 140 yards and a TD.
 
The award, first presented in 1987 and in its 37th season, 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.
 
All 13 FCS leagues, comprised from 15 conferences overall, are represented by a Walter Payton Award finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.