SDSU running back Julius Loughridge named to the initial 2025 Walter Payton Award watch list

South Dakota State running back Julius Loughridge has been named to the initial 2025 Walter Payton Award watch list. The Walter Payton award is considered the Heisman of FCS football and given annually to the player considered the best in FCS that year. Loughridge is an incoming transfer to SDSU who played last season at Fordham. Loughridge in three seasons at Fordham rushed for over 3,000 yards, including back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. He is one of 30 players named to the initial Walter Payton Award watch list.