Here are the nominees for the 8th annual Walter Payton Achievement Award, which honors excellence both on and off the field.
 
South Carolina State University nominees

Antonio Hamilton, DB/punt returner
Hometown: Johnston, South Carolina
Major: Physical Education
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hamilton appeared in 10 games at defensive back in 2013, his sophomore season. In nine games in 2014, he tallied three interceptions.
"He's a great student-athlete in the classroom with tremendous talent on the field," SCSU coach Buddy Pough said. "He is very worthy of winning this award."
In 2014, Hamilton's first season as a punt returner, he handled 15 punts, averaging 25.6 yards per return with two touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown on a kickoff, averaging 28.6 yards on 11 kick returns.

Temarrick Hemingway, TE
Hometown: Loris, South Carolina
Major: Management
Class: Senior
Hemingway has seen action since his freshman season, playing in nine games in 2012 and all 13 games in 2013. Beyond the field, he is regarded as a dedicated student-athlete.
"Always maintained great character on the field as well as in the classroom throughout his career," Pough said of Hemingway. "He has really developed into a solid athlete who could possibly play on the next level."
Last season, Hemingway scored four touchdowns on 26 receptions and 223 yards receiving. In 2014, he notched 18 receptions on 251 yards for one touchdown.

Darius Leonard, LB
Hometown: Lake View, South Carolina
Major: Physical Education
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Leonard's redshirt freshman season was a busy one, and his coaches hope that his sophomore season is no different.
"Leonard is a star in the making," Pough said.
Leonard was the MEAC Rookie of the Year last season and was the lone player from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to be named to the Rice Award watch list. The award is given annually to the top freshman in the FCS. In his first collegiate season, Leonard racked up 72 solo tackles and 14 assists, along with five sacks for a loss of 42 total yards.

First presented in 2008, the Walter Payton Achievement Award is an honor given annually to two players -- one from each of the two schools participating in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney. The game, which features and celebrates teams from historically black colleges and universities, helps kick off a new college football season on Labor Day weekend in Orlando, Florida.

The 11th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney will take place Sunday, Sept. 6, at 3:30 p.m. ET, at the newly renovated Orlando Citrus Bowl. The game will be televised live on ESPN.

The award is named in honor of the late Walter Payton, an All-American running back at Jackson State University (1971-74). A member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, Payton spent his entire NFL career with the Chicago Bears (1975-87).

Each school that will compete in the 2015 MEAC/SWAC Challenge -- South Carolina State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff of the Southwestern Athletic Conference -- has nominated three players. The winner from each school is determined via fan voting through the summer.

Voting for the 2015 Walter Payton Achievement Award opens Tuesday, July 21, and closes Wednesday, Aug. 26. Award winners will be announced live at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge welcome banquet Friday, Sept. 4, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The award is presented by Walter Payton's son, Jarrett Payton.

       

To vote for your favorite SC State University nominees, click here.