Notre Dame’s senior quarterback Ian Book was honored last week by being included by the Davey O’Brien Award watch list and today he was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is annually given to the Collegiate Player of the Year, as last year Joe Burrow of LSU won the award. Burrow led the Tiger to a College Football Playoff title and was the first selection in the NFL Draft.
Congratulations to @Ian_Book12 on being named to Maxwell award watchlist.
📰 https://t.co/iYPkXYudjn#GoIrish x #Rally pic.twitter.com/9CxUp7Sipk
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 24, 2020
The Irish historically have had success winning the award, as six players have won the award a total of seven times. Halfback Johnny Lattner won the award in back-to-back seasons in 1952 and 1953 (also won the Heisman), making him one of the most decorated Irish football players ever. In more recent times linebacker Manti Te’o won the Maxwell Award in 2012 while the last Irish quarterback to win was Brady Quinn in 2006.
Book will look to build on a very impressive career, as he has led the Irish to back-to-back 11-plus win seasons, and a berth in the College Football Playoff. There will be many eyes on the Notre Dame quarterback this season, and if Book can build upon the success he’s had over the last two years, he could very well bring back the Maxwell Trophy to South Bend.