ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell senior quarterback Jameson Wang has been named one of 35 finalists for the 2024 Walter Payton Award on Tuesday afternoon. Wang is among three Ivy League players on the list for national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS football as presented by Stats Perform. 

The award, in its 38th season and affectionately known as the Heisman of the FCS, is named for legendary running back Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.

Wang was one of the most effective two-way quarterbacks in all of college football as a senior in 2024, leading all of FCS in points responsible for (18.8) and ranking in the top 10 nationally in four offensive categories. Wang led the Ivy League in passing yards (2,533), passing touchdowns (24) and total offense (303.3 yards per game) and was fourth in both rushing yards per carry (4.6) and rushing touchdowns (7). The three-time All-Ivy selection finished his senior campaign completing 244-of-378 passes for 2,533 yards and 24 touchdowns and added 500 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Wang finished in the top two in the Ancient Eight in eight offensive categories, posting six games with 250 or more passing yards, four contests with at least 50 rushing yards and accounted for three or more touchdowns in eight games. He earned Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week accolades once in 2024. Wang's 31 touchdowns (24 passing, seven rushing) were a single-season school record.

One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in Ivy League history, Wang is the first player in the history of the conference with 50 passing and 25 rushing touchdowns in a career. He finished third in career passing (6,959 yards) and 10th in career rushing (1,816 yards) while accounting for 78 touchdowns (No. 2 all-time at Cornell). He closed his career with 30 consecutive starts at quarterback, the longest stretch in school history.

Joining Wang on the list from the Ivy League is Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig and Penn running back Malachi Hosley. Former Big Red quarterback Jeff Mathews was a finalist in 2013, finishing 19th in the Payton Award voting.

In addition to the Walter Payton Award, 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), Urban Edge Network HBCU+ Player of the Year and FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be presented at the Stats Perform awards banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.