CHICAGO – VMI redshirt junior running back Alex Ramsey has been added to the watch list for the STATS FCS Walter Payton Award, STATS announced Wednesday.

The award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back and since 1987 has honored the offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.

Ramsey leads the FCS with 20 rushing touchdowns and 122 points scored, both school records, and is third in the FCS in total rushing yards with 1,078 this season. The Salem, Virginia, native is fifth with 119.8 rushing yards per game and has recorded five 100-yard rushing games so far this year. Ramsey is just the ninth running back in school history to reach 1,000 yards in a season.

He was named the STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Week and SoCon Offensive Player of the week after matching the league record with six rushing touchdowns in a 48-41, overtime win over Samford on Oct. 12.

Western Carolina quarterback Tyrie Adams and Chattanooga wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly were preseason members of the Payton Award watch list. Adams, a redshirt senior, is averaging 174.1 passing yards per game (1,219 total) and is second in the SoCon with a pass efficiency of 150.4. He has thrown for nine TDs and run for five. Nunnelly, a junior, is averaging 59.4 receiving yards per game this season, totaling 535 yards and four touchdowns.