Maxwell Award has Three Carolinians on Watch List
This week in July in the beginning of Preseason Award Lists. Today saw the release of the Maxwell Award and Bednarik Award preseason watch lists. This one will focus on the Maxwell Award watch list members who play for teams located in North Carolina.
The Maxwell Award is awarded the best college football player in the nation. Therefore it almost like the Heismann Trophy, and it is not unheard of for a player to win both the Maxwell and the Heismann. The watch list is dominated by running backs and quarterbacks, much as Heismann selection is dominated by those same positions. All three possible Ohio State quarterbacks are on the watch list.
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So let’s look at the additions to the watch list from within our own fair state:
Jacoby Brissett – QB – NC State – Senior
Brissett was critical to the success of the Wolfpack last year. A team that was overlooked in the preseason went on to win eight games. With a year under his belt, Brissett and the State offense will be looking to push things to another level. Brissett threw for 2606 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions last year. The high speed Doeren offense should give Brissett plenty of chances to build on those stats.
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Marcus Cox – RB – Appalachian State – Junior
Cox and App State had seasons that looked like each other last year. Cox got off to a slow start as did App State. However the Mountaineers turned it around and so did their premier running back. By the end, App State was petitioning the NCAA for a bowl bid. Cox ran for 1415 yards and 19 touchdowns. Cox would likely need close to a 2000 yard season to win the Maxwell from Boone.
Marquise Williams – QB – North Carolina – Senior
Injuries put more pressure on Williams last year. Yet the offense of the Tar Heels was often not the thing holding the team back. Williams was the primary passing option and despite the presence of four running backs, he became the primary running weapon as well. Now Williams has his backs back and a more experienced offensive line. Williams’ first year as starter saw 3068 passing yards, twenty one touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also ran for 788 yards last year. For the Tar Heels to have success, the rushing yards will have to come down.