The Maxwell Football Club has announced the official watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award, one of the most prestigious individual honors in college football. The annual award recognizes the nation’s outstanding college football player and marks the beginning of a season-long evaluation of elite talent across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
First presented in 1937, the Maxwell Award is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a former Swarthmore College standout, respected sportswriter, and football official. Over the decades, the award has become one of college football’s most respected distinctions, recognizing players who demonstrate exceptional performance throughout the season.
This year’s watch list includes 81 players representing programs from across the United States, reflecting the depth of talent entering the 2026 college football campaign. The list spans major conferences and features several returning semifinalists expected to make significant impacts this season.
Among the returning semifinalists are Ohio State quarterbacks Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Their inclusion highlights players who delivered standout performances in previous seasons and remain among the leading contenders for college football’s top individual honor.
Major Conferences Dominate the Watch List
The 2026 Maxwell Award watch list showcases strong representation from the nation’s leading conferences. The Big Ten leads all conferences with 17 players, followed by the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with 16 selections. The Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) each have 15 players represented, underscoring the competitive depth across college football’s top programs.
At the school level, Miami and Ohio State lead the field with three players each appearing on the watch list. An additional 14 universities have two players selected, demonstrating the concentration of elite talent across several nationally recognized programs.
The official watch list presents candidates alphabetically by school and includes each player’s position and academic class year.
Recent Winner Sets High Standard
The Maxwell Award continues to recognize athletes who often transition successfully to the professional level. Fernando Mendoza of Indiana University earned the 2025 Maxwell Award following an outstanding season and later became the first overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
His progression from college football’s highest individual recognition to the top pick in the NFL Draft reinforces the award’s reputation for identifying many of the sport’s brightest stars before they begin their professional careers.
Phil Steele Publications Continues Selection Partnership
The Maxwell Football Club has renewed its partnership with Phil Steele Publications as part of the award’s selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive preseason publications covering college football and continues to play a role in the award’s evaluation process.
The partnership reflects the club’s ongoing effort to incorporate respected football analysts and publications into the selection process while maintaining the award’s longstanding credibility.
Key Dates Announced for the 90th Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Football Club has also confirmed the timeline for the remainder of the award process.
Semifinalists for the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced on November 10, 2026. The field will then be narrowed to three finalists, who will be revealed on November 24, 2026.
The winner of the Maxwell Award will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10, 2026, one of the premier postseason events recognizing the nation’s top collegiate football performers.
The formal presentation of the award is scheduled for March 13, 2027, during the Maxwell Football Club Awards ceremony at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
With the release of the 2026 watch list, the race for one of college football’s most distinguished honors officially begins. As the season unfolds, performances on the field will determine which players advance through the selection process and ultimately earn the opportunity to join the distinguished list of Maxwell Award recipients.
