VERMILLION, S.D. — A pair of standout returning Coyotes have been named to the prestigious Walter Payton Award preseason watch list, announced by STATS Perform on Tuesday.
 
The Walter Payton Award recognizes the best offensive player in the FCS. The award began back in 1987 and has been named annually since. The award is named in honor of NFL legend Walter Payton, who starred at Jackson State University in the 1970s. The most recent Walter Payton Award winner was Montana State's Tommy Mellott last season.  
  
Aidan Bouman, senior, quarterback
Heading into his third year as the full-time starting quarterback at USD and third-straight season as a team captain, Bouman has also been named to the Walter Payton Award preseason watch list. He's been listed as a two-time preseason All-American selection so far this summer with First Team (FCS Football Central) and Second Team (STATS Perform) honors as the only returning quarterback from the FCS semifinal field a season ago. Bouman threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 2024 (2,959) with 19 passing touchdowns on the campaign.
 
He's led South Dakota to the to the quarterfinals and the semifinals the past two seasons and enters the 2025 campaign third all-time in passing yards (6,402) and fifth in passing touchdowns (42), while also leading the USD Division I FCS era quarterbacks in career starts (31) and career wins (22).
 
Charles Pierre Jr., junior, running back
Already receiving multiple accolades heading into his junior season in 2025, team captain Pierre Jr. adds Walter Payton Award preseason watch list. He's been named to a pair of preseason All-America teams, First Team (FCS Football Central) and Second Team (STATS Perform) honors thus far. HEROSports.com named Pierre Jr. the best returning running back in the FCS.
 
Pierre Jr. was the first Coyote to rush for 1,000 yards in a season in the Division I FCS era last season, leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) with 1,244 yards on the season with 16 rushing scores.
 
The MVFC has six preseason watch list members between the three offensive positions of quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Bouman is the only MVFC quarterback to make the preseason Walter Payton Award watch list, while Pierre Jr. was one of four Valley running backs.

The Coyotes open the season with a road trip to Ames, Iowa to battle the Cyclones of Iowa State on August 30 on FOX.