CHICAGO, Ill.  – Stats Perform today announced the 2021 Walter Payton Preseason Watch List and graduate student quarterback Dan Smith (Leesburg, Va.) was one of 35 players named to the list. The award is named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back and since 1987 has honored the offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
 
Smith begins his third season directing the Villanova offense and was a third team All-CAA selection back in 2019 when he had a dominant season both passing and running. In four games this spring he threw for 677 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 141 yards and a score. A true dual-threat quarterback, Smith went 236-of-396 through the air in his first year with the Wildcats in 2019, while throwing for 3,274 yards with 35 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 457 yards and 12 scores that season in addition to catching a 68-yard touchdown reception during the year. Smith begins the 2021 season ranked ninth in school history in both passing yards (3,951) and yards of total offense (4,549).
 
Villanova has three former Walton Payton Award winners to its credit, including wide receiver Brian Finneran (1997), running back Brian Westbrook (2001) and quarterback John Robertson (2014). 
 
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the Payton winner following the regular season. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.
 
Villanova is scheduled to kickoff the 2021 season on Saturday, Sept. 4, with a road game Lehigh. The Wildcats home opener is set for Sept. 11 versus the Bucknell Bison.