Tag: Maxwell Football Club

What players made the Bednarik Award’s weekly honor roll?

The Bednarik Award’s weekly honor roll was released for Week 2.

No one had a better week defensively in all of college football than Drew Sanders. The Arkansas linebacker put in a massive showing in a win over South Carolina.

For his efforts, Sanders was named the Bednarik Award Player of the Week by the Maxwell Football Club. He was one of six players to be named by the Maxwell Football Club to their weekly honor roll.

The Maxwell Football Club awards the Chuck Bednarik Award for the top defensive player in college football. Last season, Georgia’s Jordan Davis was the recipient of the Bednarik Award.

Every March, the club hosts an annual awards gala at the Harrah’s in Atlantic City, N.J. where the winners of the Maxwell Award (for the nation’s top player) as well as the Bednarik Award are honored.

Check out the six players who made this week’s Bednarik Award Weekly Honor Roll!

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Who made the weekly Maxwell Award Honor Roll? The Big Ten has two on the list

The Maxwell Football Club highlighted the best of college football with their weekly honor roll.

The weekly honor roll from the Maxwell Football Club highlighted six strong performances from Week 2 of the college football season. Two of those players come from the Big Ten.

Well, three if you count USC.

With three teams in the top 11 of the latest USA TODAY Sports football coaches poll, it is another solid start to the college football season for the Big Ten. As such, having two players recognized as among the top six performers last week in college football is certainly notable.

The Maxwell Football Club awards the Maxwell Award, annually given to the nation’s top college football player. They also hand out the Chuck Bednarik Award for the top defensive player in college football.

Every March, the club hosts an annual awards gala at the Harrah’s in Atlantic City, N.J.

Check out the six players who made this week’s Maxwell Award Weekly Honor Roll!

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Bednarik Award watch list includes key pair of Nittany Lions

Penn State has more Chuck Bednarik Awards than any other school. Will either of these two players add another to the list?

As Penn State opened training camp to prepare for the 2022 college football season, a handful of players were recognized on watch lists for some individual honors in 2022. The Maxwell Football Club unveiled its watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, and two players from Penn State appeared on the watch list.

Senior safety [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] and redshirt junior cornerback [autotag]Joey Porter Jr.[/autotag] were recognized on the Bednarik Award watch list.

[autotag]Dan Connor[/autotag] is the most recent Penn State player to take home the Bednarik Award. He did so in 2007 to make it three consecutive seasons a Penn State player won the award. [autotag]Paul Posluszny[/autotag] won the award in 2005 and 2006 and is one of two all-time winners to win the award multiple times. Current Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald is the only other player to win multiple Bednarik Awards. He did so in 1995 and 1996, the first two seasons the award was presented.

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In addition to Posluszny and Connor, Penn State also saw [autotag]LaVar Arrington[/autotag] win the award in 1999 to boost Penn State’s total to four Bednarik Awards. No other school has more than two Bednarik Award winners (Northwestern, Georgia, LSU, and Alabama each have two Bednarik award winners).

Last year’s recipient of the Bednarik Award was Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. The last Big Ten player to win the award was Chase Young of Ohio State in 2019.

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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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Maxwell Football Club announces finalists for 2022 awards

This Friday, the historic Maxwell Football Club will hold its annual and historic awards.

On Friday, March 18, the Maxwell Football Club will declare the winners of its longtime awards, presented at Harrah’s Atlantic City. The Club first presented its namesake awards in 1937.

“The Maxwell Football Club is truly a unique organization as we recognize excellence at all levels of football from high school through the professional ranks,” said Mark Wolpert, Executive Director of the Club, in a statement to Touchdown Wire. “More importantly, the Maxwell Football Club is deeply vested in our community offering outreach programs centered on helping student athletes realize their potential on and off the football field. Our current programs include scholar/athlete high school awards, no cost college exposure showcases and leadership training opportunities where high school athletes have direct interaction with NFL and college players. We look forward, with the help of our corporate partners, to expanding these offerings in the future.”

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been selected as the winner of the 63rd Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award, and that Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has been chosen as the winner of the 33rd Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award.

In only his second NFL season, Jonathan Taylor exploded into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons as he finished the regular season with 1,811 rushing yards, and 18 touchdowns and added 360 yards receiving and 2 scores through the air. The New Jersey native also became the Indianapolis Colts new single-season rushing record holder, surpassing Edgerrin James’ record that had stood for more than two decades. Taylor became the youngest player in NFL history to record 2,000 scrimmage yards (2,171) and to score 20 touchdowns. In addition to his Bert Bell honor, he was named to the Pro Bowl and also selected as a 1st team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

Taylor joins Hall of Fame RB Earl Campbell (1979), Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz (2017); Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (2018) and Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (2019) as the only players to have won the Bert Bell Award in their second NFL season.

In his third season as head coach, Zac Taylor led the Bengals to a 13-7 record and an AFC Championship, punctuated by a stunning 27-24 overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The Bengals were 2-14 in 2019, Taylor’s first season in Cincinnati then followed up with a 4-11-1 in 2020 after quarterback Joe Burrow missed the season’s final six games after suffering a major knee injury. The Bengals join the 1981 49ers and 2003 Panthers as the only teams in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl two years after having the NFL’s worst record.

Jonathan Taylor and Zac Taylor will be honored Friday, March 18, 2022 at the 85th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Also receiving awards at this event will be Bryce Young – Alabama (Maxwell Award), Jordan Davis – Georgia (Chuck Bednarik Award), Pat Narduzzi – University of Pittsburgh (Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year Award), Kenny Pickett (University of Pittsburgh – FBS) and Forrest Rhyne (Villanova – FCS) (The Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award), and Brock Bowers –Georgia (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), Dave Aranda –Baylor University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award) Nicholas Singleton (Governor Mifflin HS – Penn State) and Mykel Williams (Hardaway HS – University of Georgia) as the MFC/ADIDAS National High School Players of the Year. The Club will be announcing additional winners of professional awards and special awards this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website or by calling 215-643-3833.

Nice honor for a Clemson legend

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame defensive back Brian Dawkins has been selected as the winner of the 17th MFC/Harrah’s Legends Award. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Dawkins out of …

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame defensive back Brian Dawkins has been selected as the winner of the 17th MFC/Harrah’s Legends Award.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Dawkins out of Clemson in the second round, 61st overall, of the 1996 NFL Draft. Over the next 16 seasons, Dawkins exuded excellence on the field as he quickly became one of the most accomplished safeties in the league.

Dawkins started 13 of the 14 games he played in during his rookie season as he became a vital member of the Eagles defense. In his first professional season, he earned 74 tackles (53 solo), three interceptions, one sack, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He went on to lead Philadelphia in interceptions the following two years (1997-98) and earned a team tackle title in 2002.

From 2001-04, Dawkins led the Eagles defensive that was vital to four NFC championship game appearances. The Eagles fell short each year until 2004 when they blazed through the playoffs and beat the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 in the NFC championship. Philadelphia then faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX as Dawkins made his only Super Bowl appearance.

After 13 seasons with the Eagles and five team Defensive MVP Awards, Dawkins was signed by Denver as an unrestricted free agent shortly after the conclusion of the 2008 season. Dawkins still holds several Eagles team records, including being tied for the most career interceptions (34).

His success continued in Denver. Dawkins posted remarkable stats on the field and he also received the Denver Broncos Ed Block Courage Award in 2009.

In all, Dawkins played 224 career games with the Eagles (1996-2008) and the Broncos (2009-2011). He amassed a total of 1,131 tackles (895 solo), intercepted 37 passes which he returned for 513 yards and two touchdowns, recorded 26 sacks, and made 19 fumble recoveries.

A nine-time Pro Bowler, Dawkins was named All-Pro and All-NFC five times. In addition to being named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s, Dawkins is a member of the Eagles 75th Anniversary Team and the Exclusive NFL Defensive Club (players with at least 35 career interceptions and 20 career sacks).

Often the underdog and challenged by mental health struggles early in his career, Dawkins could have easily been pulled down the wrong path. Instead, the guiding presence of his family, friends and faith served as a constant beacon of light along his path to becoming one of the most feared competitors in the National Football League and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Dawkins will be honored Friday, March 18, 2022 at the 85thMaxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Also receiving awards at this event will be Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis Colts (Bert Bell Award), Zach Taylor – Cincinnati Bengals (Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award), Bryce Young – Alabama (Maxwell Award), Jordan Davis – Georgia (Chuck Bednarik Award), Pat Narduzzi – University of Pittsburgh (Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year Award), Kenny Pickett (University of Pittsburgh – FBS) and Forrest Rhyne (Villanova – FCS) (The Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award), and Brock Bowers – Georgia (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), Dave Aranda – Baylor University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award) Nicholas Singleton (Governor Mifflin HS – Penn State) and Mykel Williams (Hardaway HS – University of Georgia) as the MFC/ADIDAS National High School Players of the Year.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

About the Maxwell Football Club
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information on the Club can be found at www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

–Courtesy of press release from from the Maxwell Football Club

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Twitter reacts to Nicholas Singleton’s latest national award

Twitter reacts to Penn State running back’s latest national award

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton, a top-rated recruit in Penn State’s Class of 2022, was named the Maxwell Football Club’s National Offensive National High School Player of the Year, once again raising the bar and hype level for one of the top running backs ever signed by Penn State. Singleton’s list of accolades is already growing before getting a chance to take a single practice with the Nittany Lions, but the future is certainly looking very optimistic for Singleton.

Not surprisingly, news of one of Penn State’s newest additions was sure to draw some reaction from the Penn State Twittersphere and beyond. Of course, one of the first people to react to the news was Singleton himself. Singleton offered a brief statement on his Twitter account, in which he thanked everyone who helped him reach this point and the Maxwell Football club.

Singleton’s new position coach, JaJuan Seider, was certainly buzzing with excitement.

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Maxwell Football Club honors Nicholas Singleton as national offensive player of the year

New Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton named Maxwell Football Club’s national offensive player of the year

The list of accolades continues to grow for Penn State’s newest running back. Nicholas Singleton, one of the true prizes of the Class of 2022, was named the Maxwell Football Club Offensive National High School Player of the Year on Thursday by the Maxwell Football Club.

Singleton had already been named the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year shortly before officially signing with Penn State, and he is widely regarded as one of the top running backs in the country in the Class of 2022. The award from the Maxwell Football Club is just another feather in Singleton’s cap as he continues to raise the hype and expectations for his career about to get started in Happy Valley.

“I am grateful for winning the Maxwell High School Offensive National Player of the Year,” Singleton said in a released statement, via his Twitter account. “I am pleased all of the hard work I put in is paying off. This would not be possible without the support of my family, coaches, and teammates.”

“With everything we accomplished this past season, my Governor Mifflin High School coaches and teammates are just as deserving of this award as I am,” Singleton continued. “They have all been there for me every step of the way. I would also like to thank the Maxwell Football Club for honoring me with this special recognition.”

Singleton was a key addition to Penn State’s outstanding Class of 2022, and it is expected he will be able to jump into a role in the Penn State offense fairly quickly. Singleton may not be the anointed starter right away in 2022 with Keyvone Lee returning to the team this fall, but Singleton brings the highest expected ceiling for a Penn State running back in a long time out of high school.

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Trio from Penn State’s Class of 2022 named semifinalists for Maxwell award

Will this year’s Maxwell Football Club high school offensive player of the year be a Penn State recruit?

Penn State is preparing to sign one of the best recruiting classes in program history beginning in just a matter of weeks. The early signing period is two weeks away, and Penn State continues to be ranked among the best in the nation with its projected Class of 2022. And it is possible Penn State could have one of the offensive players of the year in high school about to make their way to Happy Valley next year.

The Maxwell Football Club released its list of 16 semifinalists for its Maxwell Football Club High School Offensive Player of the Year, and three commits to the Nittany Lions made the cut. Quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton all were named semifinalists for the national award. Singleton was the only player from Pennsylvania to be listed.

It would certainly be a great thing to see a future Penn State player taking home this high honor among some of the nation’s best high school players. But having three players named semifinalists is still a good way to support the idea that Penn State is closing in on signing an exciting class. A number of players in Penn State’s Class of 2022 look to be key players on the team in the years to come, some perhaps as early as next year.

Allar is perhaps one of the most notable names to watch in the Class of 2022. The long-time verbal commitment to James Franklin and Penn State has never backed away from his enthusiasm about joining the program, and some feel he could get to work for a push for some playing time as early as next season. The recent performance by Christian Veilleux may have thrown a wrench in that idea for some, but Allar is among the highest-rated players in the country on the recruiting services and it is not expected he will be coming to Penn State to stay on the sideline for too long.

Having two running backs make the semifinalist cut is an encouraging sign as well after this past season. Penn State failed to have a player rush for 100 yards in a game this season (although Franklin will remind you there is still one more game to play), although a good portion of the blame can fall on the offensive line’s inability to create space for running backs at times. Penn State has recruited talented running backs over the course of Franklin’s time at Penn State, and the commitments of Singleton and Allen will keep that trend going.

Let’s take a look at some highlights of these three in action this season…

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Who are the finalists for the Maxwell Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award?

The Maxwell Football Club announced the finalists for this year’s Maxwell Award and Bednarik Award.

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The Maxwell Football Club announced on Tuesday the three finalists for the Maxwell Award and four finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

The prestigious honors recognize the best in college football, with the Maxwell Award going to the nation’s top player and the Chuck Bednarik Award for the top defensive player.

A season ago, the Maxwell Award went to, not surprisingly, DeVonta Smith of Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s wide receiver, a first round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, became the third straight SEC player to win the award following Tua Tagovailoia (Alabama) in 2018 and Joe Burrow (LSU) in 2019. Smith broke a stretch of four straight quarterbacks winning the award.

Zaven Collins from Tulsa received the Chuck Bednarik Award following a season where he had 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks and four interceptions.

Traditionally, the award recipients are honored at a gala event in March at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, New Jersey.