The Maxwell Football Club has announced 37 candidates for the ninth annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, opening the selection process for an honor that recognizes the top freshman player in college football.
The award will be presented during the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13, 2027, at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, bringing the freshman honor together with several of the organization’s major college and professional football awards.
Award Recognizes College Football’s Top Freshman
Established in 2018, the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award is named for former University of Alabama standout Shaun Alexander, who went on to become the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2005 while playing for the Seattle Seahawks.
The award has developed a notable list of recipients since its creation. Trevor Lawrence of Clemson became the inaugural winner in 2018, followed by Kenneth Gainwell of Memphis in 2019 and Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama in 2020.
Brock Bowers of Georgia received the honor in 2021, while North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye won in 2022. Caleb Downs of Alabama followed in 2023, Texas’ Colin Simmons earned the award in 2024, and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was named the 2025 recipient.
The previous winners reflect the award’s focus on players who make an immediate impact at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, with several recipients later emerging as prominent figures in college football and the NFL.
Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas Lead Watchlist Representation
The 2026 watchlist includes players from a broad range of Football Bowl Subdivision programs and conferences across the United States.
Seven schools have multiple candidates among the 37 players selected for the initial watchlist. Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas lead the field with three candidates apiece.
The geographic and conference diversity of the list gives the award committee an opportunity to evaluate freshman performances across the college football landscape as the 2026 season develops.
Players on the watchlist will have the chance to strengthen their cases through regular-season performances before the field is narrowed later in the year.
Semifinalists to Be Announced in November
The Maxwell Football Club has established a four-stage schedule for determining the 2026 winner.
Fourteen semifinalists are scheduled to be announced on November 4, reducing the original group of 37 candidates. Five finalists will then be revealed on December 2.
The winner of the 2026 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award is scheduled to be announced on December 28.
Although the winner will be known before the end of the year, the formal presentation will take place several months later during the 90th Maxwell Awards on March 13, 2027, at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta.
The selection process will put increased attention on freshman players throughout the 2026 college football season as the Maxwell Football Club evaluates candidates from programs nationwide. With 37 players beginning on the watchlist and only five ultimately advancing to the finalist stage, performances during the season will determine who remains in contention for one of college football’s leading freshman honors.
