PRINCETON, N.J. – Yale quarterback Nolan Grooms was named to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List on Wednesday by Stats Perform.
 
Named after football icon Walter Payton, the award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
 
The reigning Asa. S Bushnell Cup Trophy recipient as the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year, Grooms finished last season with 2,405 yards of total offense, which ranked second in the league. The Lake Wylie, S.C., native led the Bulldogs to an Ivy title with 1,660 yards through the air and with a team-leading 745 yards on the ground, which also ranked second in the league.
 
More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past recipients such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.
 
Six Ivy League football games will air on ESPN linear networks this season. All other Ivy League home football games outside of this six-game package will air on ESPN+, while select games will also be available through a variety of regional sports networks.
 
The 2023 Ivy League football season kicks off Saturday, Sept. 16.