CHARLESTON, S.C. – Continuing his preseason awards collection, junior running back Otis Weah was named to the preseason watch list for the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy as named by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA). Weah is one of 16 running backs on the list.

In total, 44 student-athletes were named to this season’s watch list. Weah is the only player from a North Dakota institution to be named to the list.

A consensus Preseason All-American – including honors from Athlon Sports, Stats Perform, and HERO Sports – Weah was the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s top-rusher last season en route to a fifth-place finish for the Walter Payton Award. The Moorhead, Minn., product led the MVFC in rushing yards (730), yards per carry (7.16), rushing touchdown (9), yards per game (104.3), and total touchdowns (9).

Weah scored in all seven games he played last season, including the FCS Playoffs, and rushed for multiple touchdowns against South Dakota State (Feb. 27) and South Dakota (March 4). He was a First Team All-MVFC recipient and runner-up for the conference offensive player of the year award. Weah received All-America accolades from six publications last season as well.

The Fighting Hawks will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Idaho State, kicking off with the Bengals at 2 p.m. Central time.