BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State sophomore running back Herb Walker Jr. has been added to the 2014 Walter Payton Award Watch List, announced today by The Sports Network. Walker will attempt to be the first-ever player from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to earn the prestigious award.
 
Walker took over as the Bears' No. 1 option after the first game, and he hasn't looked back. The small, elusive back has gone over 100 yards in five straight games, including twice over 200 yards, while scoring nine total touchdowns. Overall, he is averaging 152.5 rushing yards per game, ranking first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and third in the nation. The Bears (3-3) have won three of their last four games.
 
The Cleveland native has already etched his name in the MSU record book by rushing for 271 yards against Holy Cross – it currently stands as the second highest rushing total in the FCS.
 
Walker is one of three running backs added to the list, joining Marshaun Coprich (Illinois State) and Tyler Varga (Yale).
 
The Walter Payton Award is given each year to the top collegiate football player at the FCS level. Ballots will be sent to a national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The top three vote-getters will be invited to the presentation of the award.
 
Other players on the Walter Payton Award Watch List are quarterbacks Vernon Adams Jr. of Eastern Washington, Bryan Bennett of Southeastern Louisiana, Quinn Epperly of Princeton, Jacob Huesman of Chattanooga, Michael Nebrich of Fordham, John Robertson of Villanova, Alex Ross of Coastal Carolina and Michael Strauss of Richmond, Dakota Prukop of Montana State; running backs Malcolm Cyrus of Alabama State, Khairi Dickson of Saint Francis (Pa.), Rob Hollomon of Central Connecticut State, DaMarcus James of Jacksonville State, David Johnson of Northern Iowa, Gus Johnson of Stephen F. Austin, Keshaudas Spence of Sacred Heart and Zach Zenner of South Dakota State; wide receivers Sam Ajala of Fordham, Kenny Cook of Gardner-Webb, R.J. Harris of New Hampshire and Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington; and tight end MyCole Pruitt of Southern Illinois.
 
For the complete 2014 Walter Payton Award Watch List, click here.