Alabama trio named to 2020 Maxwell Award Trophy Watch List

Alabama’s Najee Harris, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith were all named to the 2020 Maxwell Award Trophy Watch List. 

Alabama running back Najee Harris, Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith were all named to the 2020 Maxwell Award Trophy Watch List.

The Maxwell Award Trophy is an annual award given to the collegiate player of they year. It’s also one of the oldest and most prestigious college football awards.

There have been 3 Maxwell award winners in Alabama football history: AJ McCarron in 2013, Derrick Henry in 2015, and Tua Tagovailoa in 2018.

Alabama-LSU
Nov 9, 2019; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris (22) runs over LSU Tigers cornerback Kristian Fulton (1) as he carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. LSU won 46-41.

Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s what Alabama has to say about Harris:

“One of the nation’s top running back prospects who passed up the 2020 NFL Draft to return for his senior season … accumulated 2,377 career rushing yards in three seasons to rank 15th all-time at UA … recorded seven career 100-plus yard rushing games, six of which came a season ago … earned the starting tailback role and put together a standout season in 2019 … contributed 20 scores (13 rushing, seven receiving) to tie for fourth in UA single-season ranks for touchdowns scored … totaled 1,224 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 209 carries while adding 27 catches for 304 yards and seven scores as a junior.”

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) eludes Texas A&M defensive back Myles Jones (10) at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas on Saturday October 12, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser

Here’s what Alabama has to say about Smith:

“Returns for his senior season, providing the Crimson Tide offense with one of the top big-play threats in all of college football … played in 41 career games with 21 starts to his name … accumulated 2,109 yards and 23 touchdowns on 118 catches in three seasons … averaging 17.9 yards per catch for his career to rank second all-time at Alabama … led the Tide in receiving yards as a junior with 1,256, a total that ranked third in the SEC and tied for eighth in the country … added 14 receiving scores to rank third in the conference and tied for fifth nationally in 2019.”

Nov 30, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a touchdown catch as Auburn Tigers defensive back Javaris Davis (13) defends during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s what Alabama has to say about Waddle:

“Dangerous wideout and returner who is a threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands … started six games and played in 28 total during his two seasons at the Capstone … accumulated 1,408 yards and 13 touchdowns on 78 catches at wideout for his career … added 720 yards and two scores for an average of 20.0 yards per return in the punt game … earned first team All-America honors and was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year as a sophomore … led the nation and shattered the former Alabama single-season mark for punt return average at 24.4 yards per return with 20 for 487 yards and a score a year ago … also assumed kickoff returner duties late last season, racking up 175 yards and a touchdown on just five returns … totaled 1,227 all-purpose yards as a sophomore, contributing 560 yards receiving and five yards rushing to go with his kick and punt return totals.”

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