CHICAGO – The finalists were announced and voting began Monday for the 2019 STATS FCS legacy awards, which honor the national players and coach of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.

Nominees were pared to finalists for the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year) and Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year).

VMI redshirt junior running back Alex Ramsey was among the 26 finalists for the Payton Award, while Citadel junior linebacker Willie Eubanks III and ETSU senior defensive back Artevius Smith were among the 26 finalists for the Buchanan. Chattanooga running back Ailym Ford one of 20 finalists for the Rice Award and VMI coach Scott Wachenheim is among 15 finalists for the Robinson Award.

A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the winners. Voting is based on the regular season.

All four awards and the STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be celebrated at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation, scheduled for Jan. 10 in Frisco, Texas, on the eve of the national championship game.

For STATS' full release, click here.

For The Citadel's full release, click here.

For ETSU's full release, click here.

For Chattanooga's full release, click here.

For VMI's full release, click here.