The Maxwell Award is annually given to the top college football player in the nation and has been since 1937. Only one Vol has ever won the award, and that was Peyton Manning in his senior season in 1997.
But two current Vols were named to the award watch list on Tuesday.
The Maxwell Football Club announced their 90-man watch list for both the Maxwell and Bednarik Award on Tuesday, July 5th. Among players like Clemson’s quarterback Deshaun Watson, Georgia running back Nick Chubb, and LSU running back Leonard Fournette are two current Vols.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Jalen Hurd were also named on the Maxwell Award watch list. The duo were also on the watch list prior to the 2015 season as well.
Dobbs has the dual threat ability that can make him a true contender for the award, and Hurd needs less than 900 yards to break the school’s all-time rushing record. Both should grab plenty of national headlines this season, and that will only help their cause.
Conversely, the Chuck Bednarik Award is given to the nation’s top defensive player each season. And the Vols have a number of players on that watch list as well.
Defensive end Derek Barnett, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and cornerback Cam Sutton were named to the 90-man watch list on Tuesday. No Vol has ever won the Bednarik Award, but linebacker Kevin Burnett was a semifinalist in 2004.
Barnett has earned 10 sacks in each of his first two seasons, while Jalen Reeves-Maybin came into his own as a junior last season and led the team in tackles and disrupted plays consistently. Cam Sutton is the Vols’ best corner, and his ability as a punt returner make him even more valuable.
Both Barnett and Sutton were on last year’s Bednarik watch list, as well linebacker/defensive end Curt Maggitt. This is Reeves-Maybin’s first appearance on the watch list.
