PHILADELPHIA – The Sports Network announced today the initial 2013 Walter Payton Award watch list and featured three Southern Conference student-athletes. Georgia Southern quarterback Jerick McKinnon joined Appalachian State teammates Jamal Londry-Jackson (QB) and Sean Price (WR) on the preseason list.
McKinnon rushed for 1,817 rushing yards in 2012, the third-highest single season total at GSU. In the Eagles’ win over Central Arkansas last December, McKinnon rushed for 316 yards. The Marietta, Ga., native also has the distinction of also having two defensive interceptions after moving to the other side of the ball for the end of the 2011 season.
As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Price caught 81 passes for 1,196 yards and eight touchdowns, topping the FCS freshman records for receptions (71, set by Cal State Northridge’s Drew Amerson in 1999) and receiving yards (1,073, set by Marshall’s Randy Moss in 1996). Price’s 7.1 receptions and 119.6 yards per game both ranked sixth nationally last season. A freshman All-American last season, Price finished third in the voting for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in FCS.
A finalist for the Payton Award in 2012, Londry-Jackson was named first team all-conference by both the league’s coaches and media last season. As a junior, he led the league and ranked 10th in the nation in total offense (300.5 ypg). Londry-Jackson ranked 14th in the nation with a pass efficiency rating of 146.96. A dual-threat quarterback for the Mountaineers, he rushed for an additional 328 yards and six touchdowns during the season.
The Southern Conference season begins August 29 when Chattanooga hosts UT-Martin and Western Carolina visits Middle Tennessee. All nine Southern Conference programs will be in action August 29-31.