Jaleel McLaughlin Among Finalists For Walter Payton Award
11/22/2022 1:10:00 PM | Football
Youngstown State running back Jaleel McLaughlin is among 30 finalists for the 2022 Walter Payton Award which is which is annually presented to the national offensive player of the year in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision.
McLaughlin, a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, which is presented to the top player at the Division II level, now adds being a finalist for the FCS's top offensive award to his outstanding collegiate resume.
A 2021 first-team All-MVFC and third-team All-America selection, McLaughlin finished posted even more impressive numbers during his final campaign at YSU. In 2022, he rushed for 1,588 yards on 227 carries and scored 13 touchdowns. Against strong MVFC competition, he had 1,220 yards on 184 attempts and nine scores while averaging 152.5 yards in eight league games. He rushed for more than 200 yards on four occasions and had eight 100-yard plus games this past fall.
In his five-year NCAA career, which includes two years at Notre Dame (Ohio) prior to coming to YSU, he rushed for an NCAA all-division record of 8,155 yards on 1,258 carries while scoring 78 touchdowns. In his three seasons as a Penguin, he rushed for 3,418 yards on 535 attempts and had 30 touchdowns.
McLaughlin is one of 12 running backs on the Payton Award finalist list. During the recently concluded regular season he ranked second in the nation in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game, fifth in attempts, seventh in touchdowns and eighth in yards per carry.
2022 Walter Payton Award Finalists
Quarterbacks
Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Gr., 6-4, 220 (Patriot)
Cole Doyle, Saint Francis, R-So., 5-10, 170 (Northeast)
Bailey Fisher, Gardner-Webb, R-Sr., 5-11, 207 (Big South)
Michael Hiers, Samford, Jr., 6-1, 211 (Southern)
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, R-Jr., 6-3, 208 (ASUN)
Tommy Mellot, Montana State, So., 6-0, 205 (Big Sky)
Davius Richard, North Carolina Central, Jr., 6-3, 215 (MEAC)
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State, So., 6-2, 215 (SWAC)
Lindsey Scott Jr., UIW, Sr., 5-11, 212 (Southland)
Matthew Sluka, Holy Cross, Jr., 6-3, 215 (Patriot)
Reece Udinski, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 220 (CAA)
Running Backs
Aidan Borguet, Harvard, Sr., 5-10, 211 (Ivy)
Jake Chisholm, Dayton, Sr., 5-9, 191 (Pioneer)
Ailym Ford, Chattanooga, Jr., 5-9, 213 (Southern)
Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-9, 189 (Big Sky)
Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 5-8, 222 (Ohio Valley)
Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 236 (MVFC)
Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State, Sr., 5-9, 183 (MVFC)
Deonta McMahon, McNeese, Sr., 5-9, 185 (Southland)
ShunDerrick Powell, North Alabama, So., 5-7, 168 (ASUN)
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth, So., 5-9, 185 (CAA)
Cameron Skattebo, Sacramento State, So., 5-10, 212 (Big Sky)
Bhayshul Tuten, North Carolina A&T, So., 5-11, 195 (Big South)
Wide Receivers
Fotis Kokosioulis, Fordham, Sr., 5-9, 180 (Patriot)
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-9, 180 (WAC)
Devron Harper Jr., Jr., 5-9, 168, Mercer (Southern)
Joey Hobert, Utah Tech, So., 5-11, 180 (WAC)
Andrei Iosivas, Princeton, Sr., 6-3, 200 (Ivy)
Xavier Smith, Florida A&M, Gr., 5-10, 170 (SWAC)
Offensive Lineman
Cody Mauch, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-6, 303 (MVFC)
