The Maxwell Football Club announced on Tuesday its watch list for the 80th annual Maxwell Award. The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.
The watch lists will once again incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast. Returning Maxwell Award finalists Clemson’s quarterback Deshaun Watson and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey lead the way for the 2016 watch list class. Baylor and Clemson lead the pack with three Maxwell Award candidates each as we enter the season.
MORE: Check here for full preseason watch lists
Derrick Henry capped a brilliant college career at Alabama by becoming the second Crimson Tide player in school history to win the 2015 Maxwell Award. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans, and will attempt to make an immediate NFL impact this fall.
The members of the NCFAA are unveiling their preseason watch lists over a 12-day period this month. Seventeen of the association’s 22 awards select a preseason watch list and the NCFAA has spearheaded a coordinated effort to promote each award’s preseason candidates.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Oct. 31, 2016, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 21, 2016. The winners of the 2016 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 8, 2016. The formal presentation will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala on March 10, 2017.
