It’s already difficult to figure out who will be Alabama’s lead man on offense in 2020, so why not just pick three of the top producers for the college football player of the year award.
On Friday it was announced that running back Najee Harris and wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle have been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List for the national player of the year.
The trio from the Crimson Tide make up three of a total of 90 other players across college football to make the list.
Alabama has seen three players from the past win the award which include quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (2018), running back Derrick Henry (2015) and quarterback A.J. McCarron (2013).
If a receiver were to win the award it would be making a little bit of history for Alabama, and Waddle and Smith are two players capable of doing it.
2019 was a breakout season for Smith. After getting snubbed from multiple preseason honors the Louisiana native led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards with 1,256, 18.5 yards per reception as well as touchdowns with 14.
Waddle is a player who has had a major impact since first arriving in Tuscaloosa. Not only is he a dynamic receiver but also a home run hitter in the return game. He was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2019 as he led the nation with 24.4 yards per return.
In his career Waddle has a total of 1,408 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns and 78 receptions, giving him a grand total of 1,227 all purpose yards for his career.
Harris made a name for himself as well in 2019 where he cemented himself as one of the top running backs in the country. In three seasons Harris has rushed for 2,377 yards which ranks 15th all time in UA career rushing, and also contributed 20 touchdowns in 2019 which is fourth for UA’s single season touchdown mark.
Etching his name into record books is something Harris is already used to, so taking home the award would only cement himself as one of the great running backs to come through the school.
The Maxwell Award has been presented annually since 1937 by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia to recognize the top player in college football. The award is named in honor of former college player, official and sports columnist Robert Maxwell.
The 2020 winner will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10, 2020.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
