Jul 295 min read

The 2024 Maxwell Award Watch List: 11-20

From humble beginnings in 1935, stewards of the game got together with coaches and fans to discuss the contests played out on gridirons the previous week. In addition, local prep and collegiate players were honored for their performances on the field. As it became known, the Maxwell Football Club is the premier organization that recognizes excellence in football at all levels.

The Maxwell Award recognizes the college football player of the year. Winners of this prestigious award have gone on to achieve tremendous success in professional football. The first winner of the Maxwell Award was Clint Frank of Yale in 1937. Only two players in history have won the Maxwell Award twice—Notre Dame’s Johnny Lattner (1952-1953) and Tim Tebow of Florida (2007-2008).

Below is a list of some of college football’s top players named to the 2024 Preseason Maxwell Award Watch List.

Kaidon Salter, Quarterback, Liberty Flames

Salter is one of the top quarterbacks in college football and is a dual-threat passer. In 2023, Salter accounted for 3,965 total yards and 44 total touchdowns. He helped the Flames to a 13-1 record a season ago and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, and it was the first New Year’s Day bowl game appearance for a Conference USA team in the league's history. Salter led an offense that led the nation in rushing last season.

Quinton Cooley, Running Back, Liberty Flames

Averaging 6.34 yards per carry last season, Cooley rushed for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns. Cooley posted seven games of more than 100 yards rushing, including a span of four in a row, and scored multiple touchdowns in a game five times in 2023. That is significant considering Cooley did not score his first rushing touchdown until Week 4 against Sam Houston. Cooley and Salter form the nucleus of the Liberty rushing attack.

College Football Dawgs and Maxwell Football Club Forge Partnership

Garrett Nussmeier, Quarterback, LSU Tigers

Taking over for a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback (Jayden Daniels) is no easy feat. However, Nussmeier is up to the task and has all the confidence and faith of the LSU coaches. Nussmeier performed well against Georgia in the 2022 Southeastern Conference Championship Game and against Wisconsin in the Reliquest Bowl last January. Against the Badgers, Nussmeier completed 68 percent of his passes for 395 yards and 3 TDs, leading the Tigers to a come-from-behind 35-31 victory.

Kyren Lacy, Wide Receiver, LSU Tigers

Lacy is the leading returning receiver for the Tigers after superstars Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in April. Lacy will be the primary target for Nussmeier this season after he caught 30 passes for 558 yards and 7 touchdowns a season ago. In addition, Lacy was named to the second-team preseason All-SEC Team for 2024.

Quinn Ewers, Quarterback, Texas Longhorns

Ewers leads the Longhorns into the SEC for the first time after playing in the old Southwest Conference and then the Big 12 Conference for most of their storied history. Last season, Ewers passed for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 6 INTs. In addition, he added 5 rushing touchdowns and led Texas to a Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Ewers was recently named preseason second-team All-SEC, and a preseason second-team Walter Camp All-American.

Tez Johnson, Wide Receiver, Oregon Ducks

As part of the implosion of the Pac-12 Conference, the Ducks are moving on as a new member of the Big Ten Conference. Oregon will be loaded this season, with eight starters returning on offense, including Johnson. Johnson caught 86 passes for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns. In addition, Johnson posted four games of more than 100 yards receiving and three games with multiple touchdown catches and will be a primary target for newly acquired quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon Ducks

Dan Lanning made good use of the Transfer Portal, and the allure of Nike money, and brought Gabriel from Norman, Okla., to Eugene, Ore. Gabriel completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns and just 6 INTs. In addition, Gabriel added 12 rushing TDs and threw at least one touchdown pass in 11 of the 12 games he played for the Sooners in 2023. Gabriel posted seven games last season with 300 yards or more passing.

Raheim Sanders, Running Back, South Carolina Gamecocks

After a stellar 2022 season that saw Sanders rush for 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns for Arkansas and earn second-team All-SEC honors, Sanders was hindered by an injury-plagued 2023 campaign in which he played only six games. Sanders rushed for 209 yards and 2 TDs for the Razorbacks a season ago. In 2024, a healthy Sanders will certainly be the lead back for coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks.

Carson Beck, Quarterback, Georgia Bulldogs

Beck earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2023 after passing for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 INTs. In addition, Beck posted five games of 300-plus yards passing and threw at least one TD pass in 12 of the 14 games he played. This preseason, Beck has also been named to the first-team preseason All-SEC team and a first-team preseason Walter Camp All-American.

Trevor Etienne, Running Back, Georgia Bulldogs

A first-team preseason All-SEC selection in 2024, Etienne comes to play for Kirby Smart from Gainesville and the Florida Gators. Etienne, the brother of former Clemson star Travis Etienne, rushed for 753 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2023. In addition, Etienne ran for a season-high 172 yards and a score in a win over Tennessee. Against LSU, Etienne scored 3 rushing touchdowns in a loss to the Tigers. In two seasons with the Gators, Etienne gained 1,472 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

The 2024 Maxwell Award will be presented at the Maxwell Awards Gala in March in Atlanta.

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

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.