EASTON, Pa. – Junior running back Kente Edwards has been named a finalist for the 2025 Walter Payton Award, presented annually by Stats Perform to the national offensive player of the year in FCS college football. 

Edwards enjoyed a breakout season for the Leopards, running for 1,454 yards, the second-most ever in a season at Lafayette. Averaging 145 yards per game, the Economics major also churned out a school-record 20 touchdowns, despite missing two games due to injury. He finished the season with seven 100-yard rushing games and owns three of the 15 200-yard rushing games in Lafayette history. 

The Annandale, N.J. native helped guide the Leopards to a national ranking for a third-straight season, an 8-4 overall record and a 6-1 finish in the Patriot League standings (after being selected fifth in the preseason poll).

Edwards leads the nation in rushing yards per carry (7.31), is ranked third in the nation in rushing TD (20), rushing yards per game (145.4) and scoring (12.0 ppg) and is fourth in the nation in total rushing yards (1,454). 

The Walter Payton 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.

The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tenn.