PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sports Network)--Since the FCS sub-division originated in 1978, a few select players have emerged that captivated the nation throughout their career.
Steve McNair, Dave Dickenson, Adrian Peterson and Brian Westbrook all earned high accolades in the last decade and a half, and went on to successful pro careers. Jaime Martin, Tracy Ham and the legendary Jerry Rice all put their stamp on the early history of the sub-classification.
After three seasons, Ricky Santos is already in select company because of his individual and team accomplishments with the New Hampshire Wildcats. And he has a chance to eclipse all of the legends by winning a second Walter Payton Award.
North Dakota State senior Steve Walker is No. 7 on the returning quarterback list put together by The Sports Network(read full article). Walker was rated No. 17 as a junior and mentioned as one of five to watch as a sophomore. TSN's Football Championships Subdivision editor Matt Dougherty wrote, "Walker's case shows why numbers and statistics don't always tell the whole story. Sure, he has a lot to be proud of in that regard. Walker threw for 2,220 yards with 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 2006, and completed 64 percent of his passes. While North Dakota State is not included in season-ending NCAA statistics during its transition, Walker's passing efficiency rating of 144.5 would have rated 16th in the nation."
Dougherty continued, "But with a team that dominated with strong running game and defense for the past two seasons, Walker's statistics are often an afterthought. His clutch performances are not, and Walker has come up big when he needs to throughout his career. In rare instances when the Bison were challenged in last year's 10-1 campaign, Walker threw for 451 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-24 win at FBS Ball State and tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass with four seconds to play as the Bison rallied from 24 points down at halftime to win at UC Davis, 28-24. Walker has 4,706 yards with 40 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions in his career, and he will be counted on to expand on those numbers as the Bison compensate for the loss of running back Kyle Steffes."
North Dakota State's defense will be put to the test. The Bison will face three of the top 15 quarterbacks during the 2007 season, along with Walker in practice. No. 14 Danny Southall had Stephen F. Austin on the move late in the game last season and NDSU faces the Lumberjacks on Sept. 8 in the home opener. Oklahoma transfer Rhett Bomar is No. 5 on the list and leads Sam Houston State into the Fargodome on Sept. 15. The Bearkats are recognized as having one of the top returning tandems with Brett Hicks in the mix. Luke Drone, rated No. 9, brings Illinois State to the Fargodome on Nov. 3.
Santos narrowly missed that achievement already, finishing just five points behind Payton Award winner Erik Meyer in 2005. Santos became the fourth junior or sophomore to win the Payton since the award originated in 1987, and has the chance to become the first player to win two Payton Awards if he continues on the path that began as a backup quarterback navigating a victory at defending champion Delaware in 2004.
As always, Santos will face stiff competition in his quest to lead the Wildcats to a fourth consecutive playoff berth and earn the honor as the most outstanding player in the FCS. And he'll likely receive a good deal of the competition for the Payton from the quarterback position, where established players like San Diego's Josh Johnson and Northern Iowa's Eric Sanders, youngsters such as Appalachian State's Armanti Edwards and Sam Houston State newcomer Rhett Bomar lead a group of quality players that can earn their own place in the history books.
All of the top quarterbacks in the FCS have an impressive list of accomplishments, but they'll be chasing Santos for individual honors and a place in history.
Below is a ranking of the top returning quarterbacks in the FCS, along with a breakdown of new signal-callers for 2006 playoff teams and the best tandems in the nation:
Top 15 Quarterbacks
1. Ricky Santos, New Hampshire (Sr., 6-2, 215)
2. Josh Johnson, San Diego (Sr., 6-3, 195)
3. Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State (So, 6-0, 185)
4. Eric Sanders, UNI (Sr., 6-1, 200)
5. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State (Jr., 6-2, 215)
6. Liam Coen, Massachusetts (Jr., 6-2, 205)
7. Steve Walker, North Dakota State (Sr., 6-1, 210)
8. Sean Schaefer, Towson (Jr., 6-1, 215)
9. Luke Drone, Illinois State (Sr., 6-2, 210)
10. Joe Flacco, Delaware (Sr., 6-6, 230)
11. Sedale Threatt, Lehigh (Sr., 6-3, 210)
12. Tom Zetts, Youngstown State (Sr., 6-1, 215)
13. Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross (Jr., 6-3, 205)
14. Danny Southall, Stephen F. Austin (Sr., 6-3, 215)
15. Kelcy Luke, Alabama A & M (Sr., 6-0, 200)
Next Five:
16. Nick Hill, Southern Illinois
17. Antonio Heffner, Tennessee State
18. Duran Lawson, The Citadel
19. Albert Chester II, Florida A & M
20. Bradley George, Texas State
Breaking in a New Starter
Playoff teams that are going to have a new man under center this year.
Montana: The Grizzlies are in great shape at just about every other position, but they may go as far as a new signal-caller can take them. Junior Cole Bergquist has experience and probably the early edge, but will be pushed by three candidates, including redshirt freshman Andrew Selle.
James Madison: Junior Brandon Landers should be ready to take over for three- year starter and national championship winner Justin Rascati. Redshirt freshman Drew Dudzik is waiting in the wings.
Lafayette: The Leopards won three consecutive Patriot League titles and made three consecutive playoff trips behind the steady play of Brad Maurer, but they'll have to settle a jumble at the quarterback spot to go for a fourth in both categories. Senior Mike DiPaola is penciled in at the moment, but he'll face competition from sophomores Rob Curley and Josh Jones.
Coastal Carolina: The Chants lost the only quarterback they've ever know in NFL draftee Tyler Thigpen, and will likely try to replace the production by turning to Will Richardson.
Hampton: Quarterback is just one of many positions the Pirates have to fill after an exodus of quality players, but they could be in good hands with TJ Mitchell, who has experience after filling in while Princeton Shepherd was injured a year ago.
Best QB Tandems
Appalachian State: Edwards has the potential to be a memorable player in FCS history with three years left, but the Mountaineers wouldn't lose much if they have to go to senior backup Trey Elder, who would probably start for a majority of teams around the nation.
Sam Houston State: The Bearkats played musical quarterbacks last year with varied success, but they now possess a trio of quarterbacks with experience behind Bomar. Look for Brett Hicks, who started most of the 2006 season, to assume the No. 2 role.
Furman: Renaldo Gray and Jordan Sorrells both led the team at key moments last season, and Sorrells should be ready to step in if Gray struggles with another injury-plagued season.
Harvard: Liam O'Hagan probably showed the most during his 2005 season, but Chris Pizzotti and even Jeff Witt have a chance to push him for the job.
Montana State: Cory Carpenter and Jack Rolovich didn't combine for the most impressive numbers in 2006, but they did both play a role in a team that advanced to the quarterfinals and give the Bobcats experience under center.
North Dakota State completed the 2006 season with a 10-1 record under the direction of Craig Bohl, including an 8-0 record against FCS schools and a 29-24 win over Mid-American Conference member Ball State. The Bison went 4-0 to win the Great West Football Conference championship -- the program's first league title since 1994 when NDSU was a member of the Division II North Central Conference.
NDSU was ranked No. 5 in The Sports Network and CSN Coaches final Top 25 polls. The Bison lost 10-9 to bowl-participant Minnesota of the Big Ten at the Metrodome.
The Bison open the 2007 season against Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m., Sept. 8, at the Fargodome.
