ELON, N.C. ? Elon senior wide receiver Terrell Hudgins has been named to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, an honor given annually by The Sports Network to the top offensive player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. Hudgins, making his third appearance on the watch list, finished among the top 15 in the Payton Award final voting each of the last two seasons.
“It is an honor to be named among some of the top college football players,” said Hudgins, “It really shows that hard work pays off. Even though this is an individual award, I still give credit to my entire team for my ability to be on this list.”
An offensive force for the Phoenix, Hudgins followed up an outstanding sophomore campaign with another solid season in 2008, hauling in 86 catches for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished fourth in the country in receptions per game (7.2) and 15th in receiving yards per game (93), while leading the Phoenix to an 8-4 mark. Hudgins has recorded 10 double-figure reception games during his career, including a season-high 13 grabs for 199 yards in Elon’s 22-20 victory over then-No. 14 Georgia Southern last season. The 6-2, 228-pound standout owns the Elon and Southern Conference career records for receiving yards (3,617), receptions (272) and touchdown receptions (36). He finished 11th in the standings for the Payton Award in 2007 and 15th in 2008.
A total of 20 candidates for the Payton Award will be announced in alphabetical order prior to the start of the season, with four candidates being released each week. The watch list will be revised in October and again in November before the final ballot is announced.
Voting from a panel of FCS sports information directors, writers, broadcasters and other football experts will be conducted after the regular season ends. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 30 and will be invited to the 23rd annual Sports Network Awards banquet on Dec. 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn., the night prior to the NCAA Division I championship game. The Eddie Robinson Award (top FCS Coach) and Buck Buchanan Award (top FCS Defensive Player) will also be presented that night.