It seems opposing Ivy League defenses aren’t the only ones who have been noticing Harvard junior quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s outstanding performance thus far this season.

Wednesday, Fitzpatrick was one of 16 players placed on the first of three “Watch Lists” for this year’s Walter Payton Award, presented to the top Division I-AA player at season’s end.

He was the only player in the Ivy League to be selected.

In all, nine running backs, six quarterbacks and one wide receiver were tapped for this preliminary stage.

Fitzpatrick has exploded out of the gate to begin his first season firmly at the head of the Crimson offense.

After outings against Brown and Holy Cross, he has the highest passer efficiency rating in the nation (187.55), as well as the most passing yards per game (360.0) and total yards per game (440.5).