ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger has been named to the 2023 Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, Stats Perform announced on Wednesday. The award is presented to the national offensive player of the year in football's Division I subdivision and is presented by FedEx Ground.
 
Poffenbarger enters 2023 looking to build off a historic 2022 season. Last year, the freshman quarterback passed for 2,999 yards while completing nearly 62% of his passes. He tossed 24 touchdowns against only four interceptions. In week three, still new to the offense, the young QB broke the UAlbany single game passing record with 412 passing yards against Fordham. He was named the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Rookie of the Week an unprecedented six times before claiming the conference's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In addition, he was named the ECAC Division I FCS Rookie of the Year, the 2022 Jerry Rice Award Runner-Up, and a HERO Sports Freshman All-American.
 
Just last week, Poffenbarger was named honorable mention in the CAA's preseason coaches' poll along with teammates Dylan Kelly and Anton Juncaj.  
 
In total, 35 student-athletes were named to the list – 17 quarterbacks, 12 running backs, and six wideouts. All 15 FCS conferences, which combine to form 13 leagues, are represented on the watch list, which includes 12 past finalists.
 
Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany football by following the team on Twitter and Instagram and by using the hashtags #UAUKNOW and #WinTheDay.