FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State fullback Hunter Luepke was one of 35 standouts named to the Walter Payton Award preseason watch list Wednesday, Aug. 3, by Stats Perform. The award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
 
Luepke, a senior from Spencer, Wis., is a two-time first team FCS All-American and was last year's NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player after rushing 14 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns in NDSU's 38-10 win over Montana State.
 
In 13 games last season, Luepke rushed 87 times for 543 yards and eight TDs while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He also caught nine passes for 165 yards and three TDs and was second on NDSU with 11 total touchdowns.
 
Luepke is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree majoring in finance.
 
Six former NDSU players have been finalists for the Walter Payton Award including the 2019 winner, quarterback Trey Lance.
 
North Dakota State is scheduled to host Drake in the season opener at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome. Tickets are on sale at GoBison.com/tickets.

2022 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List

Quarterbacks

Nic Baker, Southern Illinois, Jr., 5-9, 194
Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Gr., 6-4, 220 (2020 and 2021 Finalist)
Nick Howard, Dartmouth, Sr., 6-2, 230.
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, R-Jr., 6-3, 208
Tommy Mellot, Montana State, So., 6-0, 195
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State, So., 6-2, 215
Lindsey Scott Jr., UIW, Sr., 5-11, 220
Trae Self, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-4, 190
Jason Shelley, Missouri State, Sr., 5-11, 197 (2021 Finalist)
Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State, Jr., 6-0, 205 (2021 Finalist)
Reece Udinski, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 220

Running Backs

Jake Chisholm, Dayton, Sr., 5-9, 191 (2021 Finalist)
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-1, 220
Juwon Farri, Monmouth, R-Sr., 5-10, 195 (2020 Finalist)
Ailym Ford, Chattanooga, Jr., 5-9, 213
Narii Gaither, Gardner-Webb, Sr., 5-10, 181
Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-9, 189
Malik Grant, Sacred Heart, Sr., 5-9, 200 (2021 Finalist)
Julien Gums, Nicholls, Sr., 5-10, 230
Darius Hale, Central Arkansas, So., 5-11, 225
Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 5-8, 209 (2021 Finalist)
Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State, Sr., 5-10, 202 (2021 Finalist)
Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 236
Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State, Sr., 5-9, 195
Jacob Saylors, ETSU, Sr., 5-11, 195

Wide Receivers

Avante Cox, Southern Illinois, Sr., 5-10, 170
Shaquan Davis, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-5, 215
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-9, 170 (2021 Finalist)
Taylor Grimes, UIW, Sr., 5-11, 190
Jakob Herres, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 225 (2020 Finalist)
Jaxon Janke, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-3, 210
Xavier Smith, Florida A&M, Gr., 5-10, 170

Tight Ends

Kemari Averett, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-6, 260
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-5, 255
Ryan Miller, Furman, R-Sr., 6-2, 221