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.