POCATELLO, Idaho- Rodrick Rumble is one of 20 nominees named to the The Walter Payton Award Watch List, an award given to the most outstanding player in the FCS. Rumble has already been named to the Preseason All-American team by the Sports Network. This is the second straight year Rumble has been a nominee for the Payton Award.
The Oak Harbor, Wash., native finished the 2011 season with the second most receiving yards in Idaho State history with 1,348 and set the ISU and Big Sky Conference single season record for receptions with 112 during the 2011 season. The 6-2, 201-pound wide receiver is tied for sixth all-time in single season receiving touchdowns with nine and had a season-high 14 receptions on two separate occasions during the season, once against Northern Colorado and again against Weber State. The 14 single-game reception performance is third all-time in program history. Against Washington State, Rumble recorded 218 receiving yards, the third best in ISU history.
Rumbles accolades for the 2011 season included being named first-team all-conference as well as earning College Sports Madness, Phil Steele, The Sports Network and the Associated Press All-American honors.
For his career, the Bengal receiver has caught 149 passes for 1,857 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 149 receptions ranks seventh on the career top 10 list with the 1,857 receiving yards ranks ninth.
The Payton Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2012 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 175 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season on Nov. 19. The top three vote-getters will be invited to The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation.
The Sports Network also presents the Buck Buchanan, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Buchanan Award honors the FCS defensive player of the year, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year. Those three winners will join the top three Payton finalists at the national awards banquet.
Rumble and the Idaho State football team report for fall camp on August 6 and have its first practice on August 7 at 3 p.m.
Season and single-game tickets are now on sale at the Idaho State Ticket Office at Holt Arena or by logging onto isubengals or by calling 208-282-FANS.
