CHICAGO – Gardner-Webb running back Narii Gaither cemented his place among the nation's best offensive players on Wednesday, earning a spot on the prestigious 2022 Walter Payton Award Watch List.
 
The award, presented annually by Stats Perform, honors the nation's top player on offense in the Football Championship Subdivision. The award is named after the legendary running back Walter Payton – who played collegiately at Jackson State and went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears.
 
This season's winner will be chosen by a national media panel, with the winner announced prior to the FCS National Championship in January.
 
First awarded in 1987, several former Payton Award winners have gone on to successful careers in the NFL – including Steve McNair (Alcorn State), Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois), Brian Westbrook (Villanova), Jimm Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois), Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington) and Trey Lance (North Dakota State).
 
Gaither, who has garnered significant preseason plaudits over the past three weeks, enters his senior season poised for even greater heights. The Rock Hill, S.C., native has won back-to-back Big South Conference rushing titles, is a two-time All-Big South choice and is one of only two backs returning for the 2022 season nationally to lead his team in rushing yards and receptions.
 
Gaither played in just nine full games in 2021, but managed to produce 991 yards and seven touchdowns on 178 carries. His average of 5.6 yards per carry ranked among the nation's best and led the Big South. The 5-foot-10, 181-pounder also caught 42 passes for 351 yards and five more touchdowns.
 
He produced a pair of 150-yard games and caught 10 passes in a game twice in 2021. Gaither has run for 150 yards or more four times in his last 14 gamess over two seasons.
 
One of the top all-purpose backs to ever suit up for Gardner-Webb, he is one of 11 starters on offense returning for head coach Tre Lamb.
 
Gardner-Webb opens its 2022 season at home on Thursday, September 1 at 7:00 pm vs. Limestone. TIckets are available online at GWUSports.com or by calling the athletic department at (704) 406-4340.
 
The full preseason Walter Payton Award Watch List is listed below:
 
Quarterbacks
Nic Baker, Southern Illinois, Jr., 5-9, 194
Tim DeMorat, Fordham, Gr., 6-4, 220 (2020 and 2021 Finalist)
Nick Howard, Dartmouth, Sr., 6-2, 230.
Parker McKinney, Eastern Kentucky, R-Jr., 6-3, 208
Tommy Mellot, Montana State, So., 6-0, 195
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State, So., 6-2, 215
Lindsey Scott Jr., UIW, Sr., 5-11, 220
Trae Self, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-4, 190
Jason Shelley, Missouri State, Sr., 5-11, 197 (2021 Finalist)
Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State, Jr., 6-0, 205 (2021 Finalist)
Reece Udinski, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 220
 
Running Backs
Jake Chisholm, Dayton, Sr., 5-9, 191 (2021 Finalist)
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-1, 220
Juwon Farri, Monmouth, R-Sr., 5-10, 195 (2020 Finalist)
Ailym Ford, Chattanooga, Jr., 5-9, 213
Narii Gaither, Gardner-Webb, Sr., 5-10, 181
Ulonzo Gilliam Jr., UC Davis, Sr., 5-9, 189
Malik Grant, Sacred Heart, Sr., 5-9, 200 (2021 Finalist)
Julien Gums, Nicholls, Sr., 5-10, 230
Darius Hale, Central Arkansas, So., 5-11, 225
Geno Hess, Southeast Missouri, Sr., 5-8, 209 (2021 Finalist)
Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State, Sr., 5-10, 202 (2021 Finalist)
Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 236
Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State, Sr., 5-9, 195
Jacob Saylors, ETSU, Sr., 5-11, 195
 
Wide Receivers
Avante Cox, Southern Illinois, Sr., 5-10, 170
Shaquan Davis, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-5, 215
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 5-9, 170 (2021 Finalist)
Taylor Grimes, UIW, Sr., 5-11, 190
Jakob Herres, Richmond, Gr., 6-4, 225 (2020 Finalist)
Jaxon Janke, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-3, 210
Xavier Smith, Florida A&M, Gr., 5-10, 170
 
Tight Ends
Kemari Averett, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-6, 260
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-5, 255
Ryan Miller, Furman, R-Sr., 6-2, 221