The Maxwell Football Club released its 2018 preseason watch list for both Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik awards on Monday, and the University of Alabama is well-represented with three student-athletes for each list.
Former Crimson Tide stars AJ McCarron (2013) and Derrick Henry (2015) were the last two individuals to win the Maxwell Award, which is presented to college football’s player of the year and is judged by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and members of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best all-around in the United States.
Maxwell Award candidates
QB Jalen Hurts
His ability to protect the ball is the reason why Jalen Hurts landed as a preseason honoree. The two-year starter threw just one interception in 2017, while collecting 25 total touchdowns. He’s coming off back-to-back seasons in which he amassed 2,000-plus passing yards and nearly 1,000 rushing yards. Hailing from Channelview, Texas, Hurts has recorded 4,861 passing yards, 1,809 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns combined in 2016 and 2017.
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa’s performance in the College Football Playoff title matchup against Georgia has Tide fans and media personnel alike salivating over what Alabama’s offense could be in the coming fall. He threw for 11 touchdowns last season (nine games) — including three versus Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs in Atlanta. His 41-yard completion to Devonta Smith in overtime propelled the Tide to a 26-23 victory and its fifth national championship under Nick Saban.
RB Damien Harris
After turning in two straight 1,000-yard seasons, Damien Harris returns to school for an opportunity to create history. He looks to become the first Alabama running back to notch three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, while putting together a potential first-round draft grade.
He averaged 7.41 yards per carry in 2017 and accounted for 11 touchdowns.
Alabama had Jonathan Allen (2016) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017) take home the Chuck Bednarik Award in back-to-back years. Named after Chuck Bednarik, former college and NFL player, the honor is presented to college football’s defensive player of the year.
Bendarik Award candidates
DE Raekwon Davis
Not even a bullet to his leg could stop Raekwon Davis from a breakout sophomore season in 2017. He finished in the top five on the team in tackles (69) and tackles for loss (10), while his 8.5 sacks were a team-high. The 6-foot-7, 306-pound monster at defensive end already projects as a first-round pick for the 2019 NFL Draft. Davis along with Isaiah Buggs, Quinnen Williams and LaBryan Ray among others makes this one of the Tide’s better front lines.
LB Mack Wilson
He has studied the great ones that came before him, but now Mack Wilson anticipates earning some hardware as Alabama’s No. 1 inside linebacker.
Despite sustaining a foot injury last year, Wilson posted 40 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a team-high four interceptions in 12 games.
His pick-six off Clemson’s quarterback Kelly Bryant in the Sugar Bowl led the Tide to a 24-7 win over the Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. Wilson tweeted his goal of winning the Butkus Award to start the offseason and now, he’s a candidate for the Bednarik honor.
LB Anfernee Jennings
Alabama fans are excited to have Anfernee Jennings healthy.
It was effort in the Sugar Bowl – five tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack – that set the tone on defense for the Tide to handle Clemson. He put in 41 tackles with six coming for loss of yardage, despite suffering some injuries.
Having Jennings with Christian Miller, Jamey Mosley, Christopher Allen and a five-star in Eyabi Anoma gives Saban multiple bodies to attack quarterbacks.
Depending on how he well performs in the fall, Jennings could secure a high NFL draft stock for next year’s venue.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
