CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Football senior quarterback Jaden Craig has earned selection as a finalist for the 2024 Walter Payton Award – presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football – Stats Perform announced on Monday afternoon.
 
Craig – one of 35 finalists for the award – completed 169-of-279 passes (60.6 percent) on the season for 2,430 yards (243.0 yards per game) with 23 touchdown passes against just three interceptions, while adding one rushing touchdown. Craig threw for over 200 yards in each of eight games on the season and tossed for over 300 yards on three occasions. He connected on touchdown passes in each of nine games, including a season-high four TDs in each of two games.
 
In the NCAA, Craig ranks 10^th in passing efficiency (158.8), 15^th in passing touchdowns (23), 21^st in passing yards (2,430), 16^th in passing yards per game (243.0), 18^th in points responsible for (160), 10^th in points responsible for per game (16.0), and 10^th in yards per pass attempt (8.71).
 
Craig helped lead Harvard to an 8-2 overall record this past season, a 5-2 mark in Ivy League play, and the program's 19^th Ivy League title.
 
The Walter Payton 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. All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. 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.