.png)
_edited_edited.png)
Since 1935, the Maxwell Football Club has presented the Maxwell Award to the country's best offensive college football player. Each year, before the season starts and everyone is filled with hope and anticipation, the major college football awards release a list of the top players to watch who could win the award. The watchlist will consist of 80 players from across the football landscape. Here is a look at 10 players on the Maxwell Award Watch List.
Jackson Arnold, Quarterback, Oklahoma
Some are already calling Arnold a bust after only one start in his career. After being thrust into the starting role after Dillon Gabriel left for Oregon, Arnold got the start against the Arizona Wildcats in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Arnold flashed moments of brilliance but made too many mistakes for people to remember the good, honestly.
Arnold will now lead his team into the first season of Southeastern Conference play and what is one of the top 10 hardest schedules in the country. The dual-threat quarterback will have to rely on a revamped offensive line and a new offense, but he will have one of the best receiver rooms in college football to work with, as well as a talented running back room led by Gavin Sawchuk. The talent is there, but the question is, can Arnold put it all together as the Sooners learn what it means to play in the SEC every week?
Jalen Milroe, Quarterback, Alabama
The talented Milroe wants to wash the taste of the final play against Michigan last year in the Rose Bowl. He would give up any awards to have that national title, and under new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, he may have that chance again this year.
The redshirt junior from Katy, Texas, was elected as one of the team's permanent captains last season, and he will bring his athleticism and leadership to the Crimson Tide in another quest for a title. A semi-finalist for the Maxwell Award the previous year, Milroe is known for his tough running and strong arm—ask Auburn fans. Milroe accounted for more than 4,000 total offensive yards and is responsible for 42 touchdowns combined rushing and passing.
Jarquez Hunter, Running Back, Auburn
The former "Mr. Mississippi" in football broke legendary Mississippi high schooler Marcus Dupree's all-time touchdown record before coming to Auburn. Now as a senior the returning starter at running back for the Tigers has amassed 2,172 career rushing yards to go along with 17 rushing touchdowns Hunter's ability to chew up yards may give quarterback Peyton Thorne more breathing room to work the ball down the field.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound back is a combination of both strength and speed. Hunters' ability to run between the tackles as well as get to the boundary give the Auburn offense some juice. The Auburn offensive most valuable player is going to have to be that again this year if the Tigers want to make noise in the SEC.
Graham Mertz, Quarterback, Florida
The former Elite-11 quarterback from Overland Park, Kan., began his college career in Madison, Wis., for the Badgers. Durability and toughness play a role in Mertz's success. Mertz started every game for three years with the Badgers after his redshirt freshman season.
Mertz and the Gators have what many are calling the toughest schedule in all of college football this year and if they Gators are in contention toward the end of the season it means Mertz has done some miraculous things. All the while looking over his should with the heir apparent DJ Lagway waiting in the wings, his leadership will be a huge role for the Gators and getting the youngster ready to take the reins.
Seth Henigan, Quarterback, Memphis
Henigan was on the Maxwell watchlist last year, and this year he might actually make some waves. Highly regarded as one of if not the best quarterback in college football, the Tigers are set to be an explosive offense. The three-star recruit from Denton, Texas, where he played for his father at Ryan High School, has started for three years and has rung up an impressive 10,366 yards passing to go along with 77 touchdowns. The 100 mark is in his cross hairs this year.
With the expanded playoffs this year in the College Football Playoff, Memphis and Henigan have a chance to be the first Group of 5 school to make it to the CFP. With a great supporting cast around him Hennigan will climb up the record books and possibly the NFL draft with another outstanding season.
Brady Cook, Quarterback, Missouri
The hometown signal caller is looking to take Missouri to new heights this year. After beating perineal playoff team Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the expectations are high for the Tigers. Cook will have what some will call the best receiver group in college football. Gone is work horse Cody Schrader so the ground game will be important to help free up Cook to fins his big play threats at wide out.
The redshirt senior will make this his third season as the starting quarterback for the Tigers. Cook will be leaned on to guide his team through a tough SEC schedule and will welcome back the old rivalry with former conference foe Oklahoma.
Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver, Missouri
One of the reasons that Cook is on the watchlist, is because of the output of this dynamic wide receiver. Burden is the quintessential wide out in this pass-happy offense with crisp rout running and great hands to make the tough contested catches.
Like Cook, Burden, is a home-grown talent that attended East St. Louis high school in Missouri. Paired with the likes of Theo Wease Jr., the wide outs for the Tigers will have defensive coordinators scratching their head wondering who to double this year. Burden was on the Maxwell Award watchlist last year as well as being a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's best receiver.
Jaxson Dart, Quarterback, Ole Miss
In what might be a make-or-break year in Oxford, Miss., Jaxson Dart is going to be asked to do a lot for the Rebels to be successful. After leaving USC, Dart has engrained himself in the culture and history of Rebel football. On of the fans most popular players will have to shoulder the burden of making this offense go against talented defenses they will see every week in the SEC.
Dart has the ability to hurt you with his legs and his arm and does a good job of not giving the ball away to the other team. With a combined 7,343 yards and 52 touchdowns, Dart shows what a dual-threat quarterback can do in a system they fit into. Coach Lane Kiffin has gone all in this year and many think this is the year that Hotty Toddy will play for a conference title, a lot of that depends on the play of Dart.
College Football Dawgs and Maxwell Football Club Forge Partnership
Conner Weigman, Quarterback, Texas A&M
After playing well last year in the first four games, Weigman suffered a season-ending injury and the Aggie faithful were left wondering what might have been. The Cypress, Texas, gunslinger was putting up Johnny Manziel-like numbers before the injury, and a healthy Weigman under new coach Mike Elko, the Aggies might finally reach that potential that all their fans have been hoping for.
Weigman was rated the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class by Rivals and ESPN. The talent is there, and Aggies fans are hoping for more outings like when Weigman led the Aggies to an upset victory of then No. 6-ranked LSU his freshman season. If Weigman stays healthy, the Aggies should be able to contend for a possible playoff spot.
Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback, Tennessee
For those at home here is how you say his name, it is pronounced "ee-ah-Mah-Lay-ah-va." While some may have a hard time with the pronunciation, but people will need to get used to it because if the Citrus Bowl is any indication of what Tennessee has guiding their offense, buckle up.
Under the tutelage of coach Josh Heuple, Iamaleava has a combination skill that some say resemble Heisman Trophy winner Jaden Daniels. Standing almost 6-foot-7, Iamaleava can see over defensive lines and look for open running holes, and open receivers. The Tennessee offense likes to go at breakneck speeds and with Iamaleava at the helm, Big Orange will be go, go go.
Maxwell Award Watchlist Wrap Up
This award signifies the best offensive player in college football, and it is one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports.
In this day and age off offensive-minded football that is geared toward the offenses having the edge, the young men on this list show why it is so hard to stop teams from getting yards and scoring now. Gone are the years of 3 yards and a cloud of dust. This era of football is fast-paced, wide-open and the numbers will continue to climb. This year, whoever wins the Maxwell Award is going to have to be a very special player and do special things to top past winners of the award.
Check out who else made the Maxwell Award Watch List!
The 2024 Maxwell Award Watch List: 21-30
This article is brought to you by the Maxwell Football Club, home of the prestigious Maxwell & Chuck Bednarik Awards. Become a member of the Maxwell Football Club and gain the exclusive privilege of voting for these and other nationally-recognized awards.
With over 75 years of honoring football’s finest, the Maxwell Football Club offers you the unique opportunity to help recognize top talent from high school to the professional level. By joining, you’ll be part of a tradition that celebrates excellence and helps shape the game's future.
Be part of the excitement at the Maxwell Football Awards Gala held in March 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. At the Gala, you will experience the official presentation of the awards. Don’t miss your chance to contribute to football history. Become a member TODAY by visiting https://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/jointheclub.
.png)
.png)
Comments