The Maxwell Football Club has released its 2024 Maxwell Award Watch List. One of college football’s most prestigious awards usually goes hand in hand with the Heisman Trophy as eight of the last 10 Maxwell Award winners have also won the Heisman. Who will take home the Maxwell Award this season is anyone’s guess, but here is a list of players the Maxwell Football Club finds worthy enough put their names on the trophy.
The Maxwell Award is given to the college football player of the year, as voted on by National Collegiate Athletic Association coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club and sports media. The award is named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell and was founded and presented in 1937 by the Maxwell Football Club.
Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State
Jeanty is a shifty speedster who kept defenders guessing and chasing in 2023. ESPN.com ranked Jeanty 11th in rushing with 1,347 and 14 touchdowns. Entering his junior year, Jeanty looks to improve on those numbers and make a case for the Maxwell Award.
Cade Klubnik, Quarterback, Clemson
A junior playmaker out of Austin, Texas, Klubnik proved vital to Clemson’s success last season. Finishing the season with 2,844 yards passing and 19 touchdowns. Klubnik proved to be a key cog in Dabo Swinney’s offense.
Phil Mafah, Running Back, Clemson
Mafah is the other cog in Swinney’s offense and in 2023 he accounted for 13 touchdowns with a 5.4 yard rushing average. Mafah’s power and vision between the tackles will make him a hard tackle again in 2024. He may split votes for the Maxwell Award with teammate Klubnik but Mafah is certainly a worthy candidate.
Haynes King, Quarterback, Georgia Tech
Haynes King is torching the skies at Bobby Dodd Stadium. He set a single-season passing record last season with 2,482 yards passing. Those numbers place him fourth in the Georgia Tech record books and King is only 470 passing yards from entering Georgia Tech’s top 10 in career passing yards.
College Football Dawgs and Maxwell Football Club Forge Partnership
Jamal Haynes, Running Back , Georgia Tech
This hard nosed junior RB is averaging just over 6 yards per carry while splitting snaps in 2023. Haynes will be the primary ball carrier for the Yellow Jackets in 2024 and will prove a formidable foe with a year of experience under his belt. The pairing of Haynes and King will present problems for Atlantic Coast Conference opponents this upcoming season.
Grayson McCall, Quarterback, North Carolina State
After wrapping up his FCS career with Coastal Carolina, McCall is in his first season with the Wolfpack. McCall’s grittiness and presence will be a welcomed addition to the NC State offense. Even in his first FBS season McCall has the talent to make a push for the Maxwell Award.
Omarion Hampton, Running Back, North Carolina
North Carolina may be known for its basketball program but Omarion Hampton is making a name for himself and the football program. The fifth-ranked rusher in NCAA was electric last season, recording more than 1,500 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns.
Byrum Brown, Quarterback, South Florida
Brown is the young and electric signal caller for the Bulls. Entering his sophomore year he already holds two school passing records and has cracked the South Florida top 10 in career passing yards. It is still early enough in Brown's career that, should he win this year, he would then have the chance to win the Maxwell Award multiple times. This feat has only been accomplished by Johnny Lattner and Tim Tebow.
Kyron Drones, Quarterback, Virginia Tech
Drones and the Hokies are a dark horse favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024. Drones started 10 games and found the end zone 17 times while throwing only 3 interceptions. That accuracy landed Drones in the top 40 for quarterback rating in the NCAA and a spot on the Maxwell Award Watch List.
Bhayshul Tuten, Running Back, Virginia Tech
Tuten is a defensive coordinator’s nightmare. Tuten was one of the best offensive weapons in the country last season recording 1,652 all purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. Teaming up with Drones will have fan bases shaking their heads in frustration and could land Virginia Tech its first Maxwell Award winner.
The Maxwell Award Presentation
In its first 22 years, the Maxwell Award presentation was held in Atlantic City, N.J., before moving to Philadelphia for the next 64 years. This year will mark the first year that the Maxwell Award will be presented at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Check out who else made the Maxwell Award Watch List!
The 2024 Maxwell Award Watch List: 51-60
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