Courtesy Dayton Athletics Media Relations

Dayton, Ohio – Reigning Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year and University of Dayton quarterback, Steve Valentino has been named to the 2010 Walter Payton Award Watch List by The Sports Network, it was announced today. It is the first time in the football program’s history that a player has been named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Payton award.

Valentino is the definition of a “do-it-all” player. He started every game for the Flyers in 2009, one at receiver, before an injury to several quarterbacks forced him to move under center for the remaining 10 games. After making the transition, Valentino led the Flyers to a 9-1 record (9-2 overall) and a share of the Pioneer Football League title. In the same year, he also led the PFL in total offensive yards (281.6 ypg.) and all quarterbacks in rushing yards with 722.

A starter of all 11 games last year, Valentino opened the season at wide receiver before injuries forced him to step under center and play quarterback for the final 10 games. He would only go on to lead the Flyers to a share of the PFL title and be named the Pioneer Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year.  He led the league in total offense, accounting for over 280 yards per game, and completed 59.4% (170 of 286) of his passes. 

Over his career, Valentino has been a First Team All-PFL selection twice, once as a wide receiver in 2008 and once as a quarterback in 2009. He enters the year as co-captain and is one of the top players on a dominate Dayton offense that finished third in total offense in 2009. The Flyers return a total of 13 starters in 2010.

The Walter Payton Award, named after the late Walter Payton, an All-American running back at Jackson State University and College Football Hall of Fame inductee, has been annually given out to the nation’s top offensive college football player since 1987. In its 23 years of existence, a quarterback has taken the trophy 13 times, which is the most of any position.