University of Delaware Athletics
Nolan Henderson Named to Walter Payton Award Watch List
10/20/2022 1:16:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware quarterback Nolan Henderson has been named a midseason addition to the 2022 Walter Payton Award Watch List, given to the best offensive player in the country at the FCS level. Henderson becomes the first Blue Hen to be named to the watch list since Dejoun Lee prior to the 2021 campaign.
Henderson has had a spectacular first half of the season, completing 146 passes for 1,660 yards with 18 touchdowns and a 66.1 completion percentage. His 18 scoring passes not only lead the CAA, but also ranks fifth nationally. Through Delaware's first six games, Henderson is also atop the conference in points responsible for (110) and is second in completion percentage, completions per game (24.33) and passing yards per game (276.7). He ranks among the country's top 20 in seven different categories.
The Smyrna, Delaware native has passed for more than 200 yards in five-consecutive games which is the fourth-longest streak in program history. Henderson has had several top performances over the first six games in leading the Blue Hens to a 5-1 record, including a 3-1 mark in the CAA. He set a Delaware record with 17-consecutive completions in games against Hampton and Towson, and threw for the most touchdowns in consecutive games as he combined for nine against Rhode Island and Hampton, tying the record with five touchdown passes against the Pirates.
In UD's game at Rhode Island, Henderson passed for 379 yards at Rhode Island to account for the seventh-highest passing total in program history. His 85.3 completion percentage (29-34) was also the fifth-best performance by a Delaware quarterback and he earned both CAA Offense Player of the Week and National Offensive Player of the Week honors after the game.
More student-athletes can join the Walter Payton Award Watch List before a national media panel selects the winner following the regular season. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past recipients such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.
For the latest on the Delaware football program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_FB and Instagram @delaware_fb, and like "Delaware Football" on Facebook. Follow Ryan Carty on Twitter @RyanCarty10.
