Tag: Maxwell Award Watch List

Oregon QB Bo Nix featured on Maxwell Award watchlist ahead of 2023 season

Oregon QB Bo Nix featured on Maxwell Award watchlist ahead of 2023 season

If you enter the season as one of the preeminent to win the Heisman Trophy and potentially lead your team to a conference title and spot in the College Football Playoff, then it shouldn’t be a surprise that you find your name on a handful of award watch lists ahead of the season.

For Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix, the first of many watch list announcements came on Monday, naming him as a candidate for the Maxwell Award, given to the best player in college football.

Unsurprisingly, the watch list also featured names like Caleb Williams, Michael Penix, Drake Maye, and many other top QBs in the sport.

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Anthony Richardson named to the Maxwell Award watch list

Florida Gators QB Anthony Richardson was named to the Maxwell Award watch list, given to the nation’s most outstanding player.

Florida sophomore quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list.

The Maxwell Award has been presented to the nation’s most outstanding player by the Maxwell Football Club every year since 1937. Richardson is looking to become the third player in Florida Gators history to win the Maxwell Award, with [autotag]Danny Wuerffel[/autotag] (1996) and [autotag]Tim Tebow[/autotag] (2007 & 2008) — the only Gators to win the award.

Despite being named to the Maxwell Award watch list, Richardson was left off the Davey O’Brien watch list, the award given out to the nation’s top quarterback.

Richardson is expected to enter the season as Florida’s QB1, with last year’s starter [autotag]Emory Jones[/autotag] transferring to Arizona State. It’s understandable the Davey O’Brien selection committee left Richardson off their list, with the Gators quarterback’s ability to be the sole signal caller a question mark outside of Gainesville.

Richardson recently announced that he will stop using his trademarked nickname “AR-15” because of its association with the assault rifle used in mass shootings across the country.

Richardson appeared in eight games last season totaling 529 passing yards and 401 rushing yards. He was the first Gators quarterback named to the All-SEC Freshman team since 2014. His 152 passing yards and 115 rushing yards against USF made him the first player in FBS in the last 25 seasons to rush for 100-plus yards and throw for 150-plus yards while completing every pass he threw in the game (3/3).

The Florida Gators kick off the 2022 football season on Saturday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. EDT on ESPN.

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Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer makes Maxwell Award watch list

Think he has a shot?

[autotag]Michael Mayer[/autotag] was one of the go-to receiving options for Notre Dame in 2021. There is reason to believe he will be just as good, if not better, in 2022. Therefore, it only made sense for him to make the Maxwell Award watch list. The award, which goes to the best player in college football, has been given to a Notre Dame player seven times, most recently [autotag]Manti Te’o[/autotag] in 2012.

During his sophomore season in 2021, Mayer’s 71 receptions were an Irish record for a tight end. He also set program records for yards (840) and touchdowns (seven) by a tight end. He averaged 70.0 yards to lead the Irish in receiving yards a game. All of this led him to being named Third Team All-American.

The Irish are scheduled to face 12 players who also have been named to the watch list in 2022, including three in their season opener at Ohio State and two in the finale at USC.

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What Big Ten players made the Maxwell Award watch list?

What Big Ten players made the Maxwell Award watch list?

The Big Ten was very well represented on the watch list for the Maxwell Award. Including UCLA and USC, there were 10 programs with players on the watch list.

Four of those 10 programs had multiple names on the watch list, including UCLA and USC.

The Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious awards in college football. The Maxwell Football Club presents the annual award to the best player in college football.

Last season, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young won the award.

The Maxwell Football Club also hands out several other awards including the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation’s top defensive player.

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was named to the watch list. His brother, Tua Tagovailoa, won the award in 2018.

With Young’s taking of the Maxwell Award last year, the SEC has won the last four awards. A Big Ten player hasn’t won the Maxwell Award since Penn State running back Larry Johnson in 2002.

Check out what Big Ten players made the Maxwell Award watch list!

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Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud added to the Maxwell Award watch list

Ohio State freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud was added to the Maxwell Award’s watch list this week. Semifinalists will be announced soon.

If we’re being honest, it was probably a bit overdue. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has been shredding opposing defenses and continues to climb up the Heisman odds and on the shortlist of best players in college football of many national outlets. He leads the nation in quarterback rating and is only getting better.

And now, for all of his work and production, Stroud has finally been added to the Maxwell Award’s watch list. He was left off of it in the preseason mainly because he was an unknown commodity, but now that he’s been throwing lasers around a football field with precision, he’s one of four Buckeyes appearing on the watch list for the award that goes to college football’s best all-around player. Stroud joins receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave who were on the preseason watch list, and TreVeyon Henderson who was also added during the season.

Stroud was a former four-star prospect from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., He has completed 125-of-185 (64.8%) passes for 22 touchdowns and three interceptions so far this season. That includes 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three starts. He leads the nation in quarterback rating (91.7) and is second in passing efficiency (192.8) and passing yards per attempt (10.6).

We’ll keep an eye on how things progress, but it’ll be quick. Semifinalists for the award will be announced this coming Monday, with the finalists will being named on Nov. 22. It’ll all culminate with the winner being announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 9.

Ohio State has had four winners of the Maxwell. Running back Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (1955), fullback Bob Ferguson (1961), running back Archie Griffin (1975), and running back Eddie George (1995) all took home the award.

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Notre Dame running back Williams makes prestigious pre-season list

An impressive recognition for the rising sophomore

Annual the Maxwell Award goes out to the best player in college football, regardless of position. Previous winners of the award include last year’s Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, 2020’s NFL number one overall pick Joe Burrow and former Notre Dame stars Manti Te’o and Brady Quinn.

Today, the Maxwell Award gave us a preview of who they believe will be among the best players in the country, and Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams was among the best in the nation. It’s a pretty impressive feat for Williams, as he is just entering his sophomore year, not many underclassmen have won the award.

It would be an impressive feat for Williams to be included in the pre-season watch list, as big things are expected from the running back. He will undoubtedly be a focal point in the offense, especially after senior quarterback Ian Book departed.

Williams will look to have back-to-back 1,000-yard season for the Irish, after going for 1,125 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last year. He added another 313-yards and another score through the air as well. If Williams can get to around 2,000 total yards from scrimmage, he’ll squarely be in the mix to win the prestigious award.

Texas RB Bijan Robinson named to 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List

The award is given annually to the college football player of the year.

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It’s watch list season, which means college football will be here before you know it.

One of the most prestigious watch lists to be included on is the Maxwell Award. It’s given annually to the most outstanding player in college football. On Monday, 80 athletes were named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.

The Longhorns have one player listed in running back Bijan Robinson. Overall, 11 players from the Big 12 conference are included. The list also features six returning semifinalists from 2020: Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina), Breece Hall (Iowa State), D’Eriq King (Miami), Sam Howell (North Carolina), and Dillon Gabriel (UCF).

Texas’ offense will feature a heavy dose of Bijan Robinson in Steve Sarkisian’s system this season. The nation’s No. 1 running back for the 2020 cycle was used sparingly as a true freshman under former head coach Tom Herman.

Robinson’s freshman campaign ended with 703 rushing yards, including 183 in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado where he earned MVP honors. The more impressive part is he accomplished that on 86 carries over nine games.

He set the school record for yards per carry in a game (19.1) at Kansas State and yards per carry in a season (8.2). His bursts of explosiveness last season is a primary reason that ESPN listed Robinson as a potential breakout star for the 2021 college football season.

It may be too premature for a Heisman discussion or to assume that he will become a Maxwell finalist, but it’s a solid bet that Robinson will soon become a household name across the country.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 1, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 22. The winner of the 2021 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 9.

Tank Bigsby added to Maxwell Award Watch List

A true freshman, Tank Bigsby has rushed for 503 yards and five touchdowns while putting up three straight 100-plus yard games.

What Tank Bigsby is doing for Auburn as a freshman is getting recognized.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the running back has been added to the Maxwell Award Watch List.

From the press release:

The Maxwell Award has been presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell.

In six games this season, Bigsby has rushed for 503 yards, the most by a freshman on a Power 5 team, and five touchdowns. A 5-star recruit, he is averaging 7.3 broken tackles per 25 rush attempts.

Justin Fields named to Maxwell 2020 preseason watch list

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list for 2020 on Friday.

We expected Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to appear on a number of preseason award watch lists and that’s just what appears to be happening. He has already been named to the Davey O’Brien preseason watch list, and now he’s also on another one — the Maxwell preseason 2020 watch list.

The Maxwell Award — just like the Heisman — goes to the player judged to be the best all-around in college football annually. It has been awarded since 1937 and is managed by the Maxwell Football Club, which come to think of it, makes a lot of sense.

Fields is no doubt one of the most dynamic returning players in all of college football. He put up some remarkable numbers in just his first year at Ohio State and should be even better with a more in-depth understanding of the offense this fall.

He’s already on the shortlist as a preseason Heisman favorite, so it makes sense that he’s already on the Maxwell’s preseason radar as well.

The Buckeyes have had four Maxwell winners during their history. Howard “hopalong” Cassady won it in 1955, Bob Ferguson in 1961, Archie Griffin in 1975, and Eddie George in 1995.

It’s time for another.

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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