Jul 296 min read

The 2024 Maxwell Award Watch List: 61-70

The Maxwell Football Club, which awards the prestigious Maxwell Award to the top player in college football enters its 87th season. First awarded in 1937, the recipients of the Maxwell Award have had legendary careers at the collegiate level with many going on to great careers in various aspects of the game of football.

In the awards' existence, there have only been two players who have won the award multiple times. Johnny Lattner—a standout halfback for Notre Dame—won the award in 1952 and 1953. The other was Florida's Tim Tebow who won the award in 2007 and 2008. Both players would go on to be first-round selections in their respective NFL Drafts. Here are 10 players to get to know on this year's Maxwell Award Watch List.

DJ Uiagalelei, Quarterback, Florida State

Uiagalelei was one of the bigger names at his position in the Transfer Portal after the 2023 season. He is a pro-ready pocket passer with the ability to extend plays as needed. Before spending last season with Oregon State, Uiagalelei began his college career with the Clemson Tigers. He led the Beavers to an 8-5 record in 2023 where they finished fourth in what would be the final Pac-12 Conference season. He is coming off his best year as a starter in 2023 with 2,638 yards, 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. His 2,638 yards was his third consecutive season with at least 2,200 yards and second straight with at least 20 touchdowns.

Thomas Castellanos, Quarterback, Boston College

Originally beginning his career with the UCF Knights, Castellanos transferred to Boston College and was named the starter for the 2023 season. He capitalized on the opportunity throwing for 2,248 yards and running for 1,113 yards. He was also responsible for 28 total touchdowns as he helped guide the Boston College Eagles to a 7-6 record. He is a dual-threat quarterback who played physically and fearless in his first season as a starter. A former multi-sport athlete in high school, Castellanos showcased not only good arm strength but excelled in footwork and the agility to make defenders routinely miss. With a new coach, Castellanos is very excited to show more of what he can do as a quarterback.

Jordan Moore, Wide Receiver, Duke

Entering his fourth season with the Blue Devils, Moore has had an interesting progression. Originally a quarterback, Moore converted to wide receiver after the 2021 season and has been a dynamic playmaker for the Blue Devils.

Able to line up anywhere on the field, Moore has shown the football intelligence to know where he needs to be on the routes. A crisp route runner knows how to make defenders miss. While still growing into the position, he has progressively gotten better in each of his first two years, finishing last season with 8 touchdowns. While not the eye-catching numbers, Moore has shown improved production with 60 receptions in 2022 for 656 yards followed by last season's 62 receptions and 835 yards.

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Tyler Shough, Quarterback, Louisville

Shough began his college career with the Oregon Ducks before transferring to Texas Tech for the 2021 season. This season Shough will lead the Louisville Cardinals offense. Injuries the past three seasons, have limited Shough to just 15 games. After two broken collar bones and a broken leg, Shough is healthy and ready to lead the Cardinals' offense as they compete for the Atlantic Coast Conference title. Shough showcases a strong arm and can deliver the ball anywhere on the field. Although not a true dual-threat quarterback, he does have the ability to run when needed. He also plays physically and can shed would-be tacklers well. He displays the football IQ to read his progressions and the instincts to know when to throw and when to escape the pocket.

Xavier Restrepo, Wide Receiver, Miami

A go-to receiver for the Hurricanes' offense, Restrepo had his best season in 2023 with career highs in yardage (1,092), receptions (85) and touchdowns (6). His yards and receptions led the team and he finished second on the team in touchdowns. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and shows solid body control to make receptions in and out of traffic and the awareness to stay in bounds. With an innate awareness to escape would-be tacklers and maximize yardage—12.8 yards per reception last season—Restrepo can be a matchup nightmare who can line up anywhere on the field.

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Damien Martinez, Running Back, Miami

Martinez comes to Miami after spending his first two seasons with the Oregon State Beavers. A runner with a rare combination of speed and power, Martinez can make big runs every time he has the ball in his hands. In 2023, Martinez had his best season with 1,311 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns. Martinez not only has the vision to see where the opening will be, but the instinct to allow the blockers to engage and create the opening for him. He's got tremendous agility to make defenders miss and change direction as well as a second and sometimes third gear to make the big plays.

Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami

The other big splash in the portal for the Hurricanes, Ward brings his talent to the ACC after spending the last two seasons at Washington State after beginning his college career at Incarnate Word. A prolific passer, Ward set career marks at Incarnate Word with 6,908 yards and 71 touchdowns. During his two seasons at Washington State, he eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark in both seasons and threw for 48 touchdowns. He is a mobile quarterback who has shown the ability to make plays with his legs or his arm. He's established himself as an accurate passer with the Cougars completing just under 67 percent of his passes last season. His 3,735 yards in 2023 were third-best in the Pac-12.

Kyle McCord, Quarterback, Syracuse

After starting last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes, McCord entered the transfer portal and took his talents to Syracuse and new coach Fran Brown. Last season with the Buckeyes, McCord eclipsed 3,000 yards (3,170) and threw for 24 touchdowns. McCord scored accuracy on his passes, completing 66 percent last season. He's got a strong arm and can make a variety of throws to all areas of the field. A pocket passer that shows some mobility as needed to extend plays, McCord can throw accurately while on the run. McCord has the football intelligence and instincts to know when and where to deliver the ball and when to escape the pocket.

LeQuint Allen, Running Back, Syracuse

Allen earned the starting role at running back for the Orange in 2023, eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing (1,064), and had 10 total touchdowns. Allen is a powerful runner that doesn't shy away from contact. He has a solid combination of speed and power and can lower his shoulder to deliver an effective blow to would-be tacklers.

He shows solid vision on his runs and has an extra gear to help him run past defenders and gain yards. He is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield finishing last season with a reception in 12 straight games and entering the 2024 season, he ranks 10th all-time for receptions by a Syracuse running back.

Tahj Brooks, Running Back, Texas Tech

Brooks enters the 2024 season as a fifth-year senior and is coming off his best season in 2023 with 1,541 yards and 10 touchdowns. He plays physically and is a violent runner who runs through contact. He runs with good vision and patience to allow blocks to develop in front of him. He has improved his production each year and demonstrated the work-horse back mentality with multiple games of 30 or more carries in 2023. He is an effective check-down option as a receiver and shows a willingness to take on defenders in pass protection.

Check out who else made the Maxwell Award Watch List!

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.

Tua Tagovailoa Accepting Maxwell Award — Credit: Maxwell Football Club

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