2015 Maxwell Award preseason watch list announced

The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 79th annual Maxwell Award.

The award is 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 semifinalists include Florida State transfer QB Everett Golson, TCU QB Trevone Boykin, Pittsburgh RB James Conner, Michigan State QB Connor Cook and returning Maxwell Award finalist Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott.

Ohio State leads the pack with four players on the list, including RB Ezekiel Elliott and three accomplished quarterbacks, Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller, who’ll compete for the coveted starting position this summer.

Marcus Mariota capped a brilliant college career at Oregon by becoming the first Duck in school history to win the Maxwell Award. He was drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans, and will attempt to make an immediate NFL impact like Maxwell winners Andrew Luck and Cam Newton in recent years.