PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Sports Network today announced its updated watch list for the 2009 Walter Payton Award.  Among the 20 names on the list is Elon wide receiver Terrell Hudgins (Rocky Mount, N.C.).  Hudgins was on the initial list which was released over the summer.  The Payton Award is presented annually to the top offensive player in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. Hudgins, making his third appearance on the watch list, finished among the top 15 in the Payton Award final voting each of the last two seasons.

 

This season, Hudgins leads the nation in both receiving yards per game (135.83) and receptions per game (10.83).  During Elon's victory over Furman, Hudgins became the all-time NCAA Division I leader for career receptions.  His current catch total stands at 337.  Hudgins has caught 65 passes for 815 yards and seven touchdowns through six games to help lead the Phoenix to a 5-1 overall record and a perfect 3-0 slate in SoCon play.  He has also collected one SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honor and two national player of the week nods.

 

An offensive force for the Phoenix, Hudgins followed up an outstanding sophomore campaign with another solid season in 2008, hauling in 86 catches for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished fourth in the country in receptions per game (7.2) and 15th in receiving yards per game (93), while leading the Phoenix to an 8-4 mark. Hudgins has recorded 10 double-figure reception games during his career, including a season-high 13 grabs for 199 yards in Elon’s 22-20 victory over then-No. 14 Georgia Southern last season. The 6-2, 228-pound standout owns the Elon and Southern Conference career records for receiving yards (3,617), receptions (272) and touchdown receptions (36). He finished 11th in the standings for the Payton Award in 2007 and 15th in 2008. 

 

The watch list will be revised again in early November and one final time before the final ballot is announced.  

 

Voting from a panel of FCS sports information directors, writers, broadcasters and other football experts will be conducted after the regular season ends.  Three finalists will be announced on November 30 and will be invited to the 23rd annual Sports Network Awards banquet on December 17 in Chattanooga, Tenn., the night prior to the NCAA Division I championship game.  The Eddie Robinson Award (top FCS coach) and Buck Buchanan Award (top FCS defensive player) will also be presented that night.