DAVIS, Calif. – UC Davis standout running back Ulonzo Gilliam, Jr. was named to the 2022 Walter Payton Award watch list on Wednesday. Stats Perform presents the award to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.

Gilliam, Jr. continues to bring in the preseason honors as he was named a Stats Perform Preseason All-American, the Big Sky Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team preseason honors. The Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American accolade is the second of his career as he was named to the second team entering the 2020 campaign.  
 
The 5-9 running back enters the 2022 season with his name etched atop the Aggie record book. The Merced, Calif., native has amassed 3,435 career rushing yards which is just 155 shy of breaking the record held by G.P. Muhammad (1995-98).
 
The 2019 All-American is also just 150 all-purpose yards behind Muhammad for the school record. On top of his 3,435 rushing yards, Gilliam, Jr. has hauled in 164 passes for 1,045 receiving yards. His 164 receptions currently rank ninth in the UC Davis annals. The two-time Ken O'Brien Award winner (UC Davis Most Outstanding Offensive Player) also ranks ninth in scoring with 231 points on 38 touchdowns – fourth all-time among non-kickers.
 
Gilliam, Jr. was named to the All-Big Sky first-team last season after rushing for 901 yards while also amassing 278 receiving yards with seven total touchdowns.

More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner.  First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past recipients such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.

Also, this season, Stats Perform will present the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

All 15 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes 10 past finalists.

The Aggies will play five regular season home games at the newly resurfaced UC Davis Health Stadium and open their 2022 home slate against San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 17. Single game tickets are on sale now, and season tickets are still available. For more information, click HERE or call 530-752-2471.

The preseason watch list:
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, 215 (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, 177
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