Six players from CAA Football have joined the watch lists for three major national awards presented by Stats Perform.

Delaware quarterback Nolan Henderson and Monmouth running back Jaden Shirden have been added to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the best offensive player in FCS football.

Delaware linebacker Johnny Buchanan and William & Mary linebacker John Pius have been placed on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the best defensive player in FCS football.

UAlbany quarterback Reese Poffenbarger and Towson linebacker Mason Woods were selected to the watch list for the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the top freshman in FCS football.

Reese Poffenbarger threw three TD’s of 35 or more yards and added a 15-yard scoring toss in overtime for @ualbanyfootball

It was his fifth straight game with 250+ pass yards and he has 13 TD’s with no interceptions for the year pic.twitter.com/UZaMMe06sG

— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) October 17, 2022

Henderson has completed 146-of-221 passes for 1,660 yards and 18 touchdowns through six games. He ranks among the top 20 nationally in passing yards, pass efficiency and passing touchdowns.

Shirden has rushed for 1,013 yards and seven touchdowns on 115 carries (8.8 ypc) over seven games. He leads the nation in rushing yards per game (144.8 ypg), having topped the 100-yard mark five times and the 200-yard plateau twice this season.

Henderson and Shirden join Richmond quarterback Reece Udinski, Monmouth running back Juwon Farri and Richmond wide receiver Jakob Herres on the Payton Award Watch list.

Buchanan leads the CAA with 78 tackles through six games and has added 3.5 TFLs and a forced fumble. He made a school-record 23 tackles in a season-opening win at Navy and made 19 stops against William & Mary.

Pius leads the nation in both sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (14.5) and tops W&M with 40 tackles through six contests. He recorded a team-best 4.5 TFLs in a victory at Charlotte and contributed 3.5 sacks in a road triumph at Lafayette.

Buchanan and Pius join William & Mary defensive lineman Nate Lynn, New Hampshire defensive lineman Josiah Silver, Richmond linebacker Tristan Wheeler and Delaware safety Kedrick Whitehead on the Buchanan Award Watch List.

Poffenbarger has completed 122-of-193 passes for 1,683 yards and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions over six games. He has passed for over 250 yards in five straight games and ranks in the top 10 nationally in passing yards and pass efficiency.

Woods ranks ninth in the CAA with 49 tackles through six games and has also contributed 1.5 TFLs, an interception and three pass breakups. He has made 10 tackles in each of the Tigers’ past two contests.