Maxwell Award 2016: Preseason watch list released

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

90 of the best players in college football were named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the top college football player.

Over the next two weeks, college football players from across the country will find their names on watch lists for awards that will be handed out after the season is over. From the Lou Groza Award to the Jim Thorpe Award, trophies will be handed out based on position on the field, what side of the ball they play or even as player of the year.

One of those awards will be the Maxwell Award, handed out annually to the player of the year in college football. The watch list for that award was released Tuesday, with 90 players being placed on the list to start things off:

CollegeFootballTalk.NBCSports.com
CollegeFootballTalk.NBCSports.com

The list includes all of the top names in the game, including Heisman Trophy finalists from 2015, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey. Other stars like Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook also made this list, which includes 39 quarterbacks and 33 running backs in total.

While one of the longest running awards handed out, the winner of the Maxwell Award has not usually been the same person who has won the Heisman of late. Over the last 20 seasons, just four players have won both awards in the same season (Danny Wuerffel in 1996, Ricky Williams in 1998, Tim Tebow in 2007, Cam Newton in 2010, Marcus Mariota in 2014 and Derrick Henry in 2015).

For more NCAA Football news, check out our NCAA Football hub page.

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