Football | 7/5/2016 10:01:00 AM
PHILADELPHIA - The Maxwell Football Club today announced its watch list for the 80th annual Maxwell Award and it includes Georgia Southern senior running back
Matt Breida. A two-time semifinalist for the Doak Walker Trophy (nation's top running back), Breida has led the FBS in yards per carry each of the past two seasons.
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 Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.
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 the season approaches.
Breida is one of four Sun Belt players on the watch list as he is joined by Appalachian State running back Marcus Cox, New Mexico State running back Larry Rose III and UL Lafayett running back Elijah McGuire.
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.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Award will be announced Oct. 31 while the three finalists for the award will be unveiled Nov. 21. The winner of the 2016 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 8. The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 10, 2017.
