The Maxwell Football Club has added three quarterbacks to its 2026 Maxwell Award Watch List at the midpoint of the college football season, recognizing standout performances from Alabama’s Keelon Russell, Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor and Missouri’s Austin Simmons.
The Maxwell Award, first presented in 1937, is awarded annually to the college player of the year. The latest additions expand the field of players under consideration as the 2026 season progresses.
All three quarterbacks have produced strong early-season numbers, combining efficient passing performances with significant contributions to their respective programs.
Keelon Russell Emerges as Alabama’s Starting Quarterback
Alabama sophomore Keelon Russell earned the starting quarterback job during fall camp and has quickly established himself as a productive offensive presence.
Through four games, Russell has thrown for 1,129 yards and eight touchdowns while recording two interceptions. He has completed 70.9% of his passes and averaged 10.3 yards per attempt, providing Alabama with an efficient passing attack.
Russell has also contributed on the ground, accumulating 168 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. His ability to generate offense both through the air and as a runner has added another dimension to Alabama’s attack during his first season as a full-time starter.
His strongest statistical performance came in Alabama’s 49-18 victory over South Carolina. Russell threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in that game. He also recorded 320 passing yards and three touchdowns against Florida State.
Those performances helped earn Russell a place among the mid-season additions to the Maxwell Award Watch List as Alabama moves deeper into its schedule.
Kamario Taylor Leads Mississippi State During 4-0 Start
Mississippi State sophomore Kamario Taylor has emerged as another productive quarterback during the opening stretch of the season, helping the Bulldogs begin their campaign with a 4-0 record.
Taylor has completed 69.2% of his passes through four games, producing 1,192 passing yards and 14 touchdowns against two interceptions. He has also rushed for 185 yards, giving Mississippi State additional production outside the passing game.
His latest performance came in Mississippi State’s 31-24 victory over No. 19 Missouri. Taylor threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
The quarterback also delivered a decisive play late in the contest, connecting on a 24-yard touchdown pass with 3:57 remaining to secure the game-winning score.
Taylor’s combination of passing efficiency, touchdown production and rushing ability has made him a central part of Mississippi State’s unbeaten opening to the season and secured his addition to the Maxwell Award Watch List.
Austin Simmons Produces Efficient Start at Missouri
Missouri senior Austin Simmons joins the watch list after transferring from Ole Miss and making an efficient start to his first season with the Tigers.
Missouri opened the season 3-1, with Simmons producing significant passing numbers during the early portion of the schedule. Through the Tigers’ first three games, he completed 69.1% of his passes for 652 yards and eight touchdowns without throwing an interception.
Simmons made an immediate impact in his Missouri debut against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, completing 17 of 19 passes and throwing four touchdowns.
He followed that performance with another notable outing against Mississippi State, throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns.
For the season, Simmons has accumulated 947 passing yards and 11 touchdowns without an interception, maintaining his turnover-free passing record while establishing himself in Missouri’s offense.
Maxwell Award Race Continues Through 2026 Season
The additions of Russell, Taylor and Simmons bring three more quarterbacks into consideration for one of college football’s established individual honors.
Each player has taken a different route into the 2026 season, with Russell assuming Alabama’s starting role, Taylor directing Mississippi State’s unbeaten start and Simmons establishing himself at Missouri following his transfer from Ole Miss.
Their inclusion on the mid-season watch list reflects their production through the opening weeks of the campaign. With the college football schedule continuing into conference play, their performances over the remainder of the season will help shape the field of candidates for the 2026 Maxwell Award.
