RB Flowers named to Walter Payton Award preseason watch list

By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A day after being named to the Stat Perform Preseason All-America teams, Tennessee Tech running back M.J. Flowers saw his name added to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List on Tuesday.

The award, named after legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, is affectionately referred to as the FCS Heisman Trophy as it recognizes the subdivision's top offensive player. Payton played collegiately at Jackson State and past winners have included Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo and Cooper Kupp.

The 2025 winner – Youngstown State quarterback Beau Brungard – returns to the Penguins roster this season, looking to become the third two-time recipient, joining Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State, 2008-09) and Jeremiah Briscoe (Sam Houston State, 2016-17).

Flowers would certainly love to keep that from happening.

While he saw limited action last season at UConn, Flowers was a stud running back at Eastern Illinois, rushing for 1,837 yards on 402 carries with 15 touchdowns and an average of 4.7 yards per carry.

In his freshman season, Flowers was named the Ohio Valley Conference/Big South Conference Freshman of the Year and the runner-up for the Jerry Rice FCS Freshman of the Year Award with three Freshman All-America selections from Stats Perform, Phil Steele and Sports Illustrated's Football Central.

As a freshman, he rushed for 854 yards and had 1,046 all-purpose yards – the second-most nationally among FCS freshmen – as he took home conference first-team honors. In his sophomore campaign, he rushed for 865 yards with seven touchdowns, while also catching 45 passes for 347 yards and three scores – proving his versatility on offense.

He ended 2024 with three 100-yard rushing games, including 194 yards and a touchdown against Western Illinois, while also setting the EIU program record for single-game receptions by a running back with 11 against Southeast Missouri. Flowers finished fourth in the OVC/Big South in rushing and third in all-purpose yardage.

There are still more preseason accolades to go as the Southern Conference will announce its preseason team in one week as part of its annual Media Day event in Greenville, S.C.

Tech opens its fall camp in August, culminating in the start of the 2026 season on August 29 against Monmouth.

Season tickets are on sale now – visit TTUsportstickets.com to order today.

Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations