Maxwell Award
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Maxwell Award Winners

Year Winner School Position Height Weight Home Town
2025 Fernando Mendoza Indiana , Jr. QB 6-5 225 Miami. Fla.
Finalists:
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, RB
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, QB
2024 Ashton Jeanty Boise State RB 5-9 215 Jacksonville, Fla.
Finalists:
Dillon Gabriel , Oregon, QB
Travis Hunter, Colorado, WR/CB
2023 Michael Penix Jr. Washington , Sr. QB 6-3 213 Tampa, Fla.
Finalists:
Jayden Daniels, LSU, QB
Bo Nix, Oregon, QB
2022 Caleb Williams USC , So. QB 6-1 215 Washington, D.C.
Finalists:
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, Sr., QB, 6-4, 218, Greensboro, N.C.
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State , So., QB, 6-3, 218, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
2021 Bryce Young Alabama , So. QB 6-0 194 Pasadena, Calif.
Finalists:
Kenny Pickett, Pitt, Sr., QB, 6-3, 220, Oakhurst, N.J.
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State, Jr., RB, 5-10, 210, Arlington, Tenn.
2020 DeVonta Smith Alabama , Sr. WR 6-1 175
Finalists:
Mac Jones, Alabama, QB
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, QB
2019 Joe Burrow LSU , Sr. QB 6-4 216 Athens, Ohio
Finalists:
Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, QB
Chase Young, Ohio State, DE
2018 Tua Tagovailoa Alabama , So. QB 6-1 218 Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Finalists:
Will Grier, West Virginia, QB
Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, QB
2017 Baker Mayfield Oklahoma , Sr. QB 6-1 220 Austin, Texas
Finalists:
Saquon Barkley, Penn State, RB
Bryce Love, Stanford, QB
2016 Lamar Jackson Louisville , Sr. QB 6-3 205 Pompano Beach, Fla.
Finalists:
Deshaun Watson, Clemson, QB
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan, ATH
2015 Derrick Henry Alabama , Jr. RB 6-3 242 Yulee, Fla.
Finalists:
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, RB
Deshaun Watson, Clemson, QB
2014 Marcus Mariota Oregon , Jr. QB 6-4 219 Honolulu, Hawaii
Finalists:
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin, RB
Dak Prescott, Mississippi State, QB
2013 AJ McCarron Alabama , Sr. QB 6-4 214 Mobile, Ala.
Finalists:
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, QB
Jameis Winston, Florida State, QB
2012 Manti Te'o Notre Dame , Sr. LB 6-2 255 Laie, Hawaii
Finalists:
Collin Klein, Kansas State, QB
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, QB
2011 Andrew Luck Stanford , Sr. QB 6-4 235 Houston, Texas
Finalists:
Kellen Moore, Boise State, QB
Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB
2010 Cam Newton Auburn , Jr. QB 6-6 250 College Paek, Ga.
Finalists:
Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB
Kellen Moore, Boise State, QB
2009 Colt McCoy Texas , Sr. QB 6-2 210 Tuscola, Texas
Finalists:
Mark Ingram, Alabama, RB
Tim Tebow, Florida, QB
2008 Tim Tebow Florida , Jr. QB 6-3 240 Jacksonville, Fla.
Finalists:
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, QB
Colt McCoy, Texas, QB
2007 Tim Tebow Florida , So. QB 6-3 235 Jacksonville, Fla.
Finalists:
Dennis Dixon, Oregon, QB
Darren McFadden, Arkansas, RB
2006 Brady Quinn Notre Dame , Sr. QB 6-4 227 Dublin, Ohio
Finalists:
Ray Rice, Rutgers, RB
Troy Smith, Ohio State, QB
2005 Vince Young Texas , Jr. QB 6-5 233 Houston, Texas
Finalists:
Reggie Bush, USC, RB
Matt Leinart, USC, QB
2004 Jason White Oklahoma , Sr. QB 6-3 226 Tuttle, Okla.
Finalists:
Matt Leinart, USC, QB
Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma, RB
2003 Eli Manning Ole Miss , Sr. QB 6-5 218 New Orleans, La.
Finalists:
Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh, WR
Jason White, Oklahoma, QB
2002 Larry Johnson Penn State , Sr. RB 6-2 222 State College, Pa.
Finalists:
Brad Banks, Iowa, QB
Ken Dorsey, Miami, QB
2001 Ken Dorsey Miami , Jr. QB 6-5 200 Orinda, Calif.
Finalists:
Eric Crouch, Nebraska, QB
Rex Grossman, Florida, QB
2000 Drew Brees Purdue , Sr. QB 6-1 220 Austin, Texas
Finalists:
Josh Heupel, Oklahoma, QB
Chris Weinke, Florida State, QB
1999 Ron Dayne Wisconsin , Sr. RB 5-10 254 Berlin, N.J.
Finalists:
Drew Brees, Purdue, QB
Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech, QB
1998 Ricky Williams Texas , Sr. RB 6-0 225 San Diego, Calif.
Finalists:
Michael Bishop, Kansas State, QB
Cade McNown, UCLA, QB
1997 Peyton Manning Tennessee , Sr. QB 6-5 202 New Orleans, La.
Finalists:
Ryan Leaf, Washington State, QB
Randy Moss, Marshall, WR
Charles Woodson, Michigan, CB
1996 Danny Wuerffel Florida , Sr. QB 6-2 209 Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Finalists:
Troy Davis, Iowa State, RB
Orlando Pace, Ohio State, OT
1995 Eddie George Ohio State , Sr. RB 6-3 230 Philadelphia, Pa.
Finalists:
Tommie Frazier, Nebraska, QB
Danny Wuerffel, Florida, QB
1994 Kerry Collins Penn State , Sr. QB 6-5 235 West Lawn, Pa.
Finalists:
Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, RB
Ki-Jana Carter, Penn State, RB
1993 Charlie Ward Florida State , Sr. QB 6-2 190 Thomasville, Ga.
Finalists:
Glenn Foley, Boston College, QB
Heath Shuler, Tennessee, QB
1992 Gino Torretta Miami , Sr. QB 6-3 205 Pinole, Calif.
Finalists:
Marshall Faulk, San Diego State, RB
Garrison Hearst, Georgia, RB
1991 Desmond Howard Michigan , Jr. WR 5-9 176 Detroit, Mich.
Finalists:
Ty Detmer, BYU, QB
Casey Weldon, Florida State, QB
1990 Ty Detmer BYU , Jr. QB 6-0 175 San Antonio, Texas
Finalists:
1989 Anthony Thompson Indiana , Sr. RB 6-0 205 Terre Haute, Ind.
Finalists:
1988 Barry Sanders Oklahoma State , Jr. RB 5-8 197 Wichita, Kan.
Finalists:
1987 Don McPherson Syracuse , Sr. QB 6-0 182 West Hempstead, N.Y.
Finalists:
1986 Vinny Testaverde Miami , Sr. QB 6-5 218 Elmont, N.Y.
Finalists:
1985 Chuck Long Iowa , Sr. QB 6-4 213 Wheaton, Ill.
Finalists:
1984 Doug Flutie Boston College , Sr. QB 5-9 177 Natick, Mass.
Finalists:
1983 Mike Rozier Nebraska , Sr. RB 5-11 210 Camden, N.J.
Finalists:
1982 Herschel Walker Georgia , Jr. RB 6-2 222 Wrightsville, Ga.
Finalists:
1981 Marcus Allen USC , Sr. RB 6-2 202 San Diego, Calif.
Finalists:
1980 Hugh Green Pittsburgh , Sr. DE 6-2 224 Natchez, Miss.
Finalists:
1979 Charles White USC , Sr. RB 6-0 205 San Fernando, Calif.
Finalists:
1978 Chuck Fusina Penn State , Sr. QB 6-1 195 McKees Rocks, Pa.
Finalists:
1977 Ross Browner Notre Dame , Sr. DE 6-3 247 Warren, Ohio
Finalists:
1976 Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh , Sr. RB 5-11 192 Aliquippa, Pa.
Finalists:
1975 Archie Griffin Ohio State , Sr. RB 5-9 182 Columbus, Ohio
Finalists:
1974 Steve Joachim Temple , Sr. QB 6-4 215 Newtown Square, Pa.
Finalists:
1973 John Cappelletti Penn State , Sr. RB 6-1 206 Upper Darby, Pa.
Finalists:
1972 Brad Van Pelt Michigan State , Sr. LB 6-5 221 Owosso, Mich.
Finalists:
1971 Ed Marinaro Cornell , Sr. RB 6-2 210 New Milford, N.J.
Finalists:
1970 Jim Plunkett Stanford , Sr. QB 6-3 204 San Jose, Calif.
Finalists:
1969 Mike Reid Penn State , Sr. DT 6-3 240 Altoona, Pa.
Finalists:
1968 O.J. Simpson USC , Sr. RB 6-2 205 San Francisco, Calif.
Finalists:
1967 Gary Beban UCLA , Sr. RB 6-0 191 Redwood City, Calif.
Finalists:
1966 Jim Lynch Notre Dame , Sr. LB 6-1 225 Lima, Ohio
Finalists:
1965 Tommy Nobis Texas , Sr. LB 6-2 230 San Antonio, Texas
Finalists:
1964 Glenn Ressler Penn State , Sr. C 6-2 230 Dornsife, Pa.
Finalists:
1963 Roger Staubach Navy , Jr. QB 6-2 190 Cincinnati, Ohio
Finalists:
1962 Terry Baker Oregon State , Sr. QB 6-3 191 Portland, Ore.
Finalists:
1961 Bob Ferguson Ohio State , Sr. FB 6-0 217 Troy, Ohio
Finalists:
1960 Joe Bellino Navy , Sr. HB 5-9 181 Winchester, Mass.
Finalists:
1959 Richie Lucas Penn State , Sr. QB 6-1 185 Glassport, Pa.
Finalists:
1958 Pete Dawkins Army , Sr. HB 6-1 197 Royal Oak, Mich.
Finalists:
1957 Bob Reifsnyder Navy , Jr. T 6-2 235 Rockville Centre, N.Y.
Finalists:
1956 Tommy McDonald Oklahoma , Sr. HB 5-9 170 Albuquerque, N.M.
Finalists:
1955 Howard Cassady Ohio State , Sr. HB 5-10 172 Columbus, Ohio
Finalists:
1954 Ron Beagle Navy , Jr. E 6-0 185 Covington, Ky.
Finalists:
1953 Johnny Lattner Notre Dame , Sr. HB 6-1 190 Chicago, Ill.
Finalists:
1952 Johnny Lattner Notre Dame , Jr. HB 6-1 190 Chicago, Ill.
Finalists:
1951 Dick Kazmaier Princeton , Sr. HB 5-11 171 Maumee, Ohio
Finalists:
1950 Reds Bagnell Pennsylvania , Sr. HB 6-0 178 Philadelphia, Pa.
Finalists:
1949 Leon Hart Notre Dame , Sr. E 6-5 260 Turtle Creek, Pa.
Finalists:
1948 Chuck Bednarik Pennsylvania , Jr. C 6-3 220 Bethlehem, Pa.
Finalists:
1947 Doak Walker SMU , So. HB 5-11 170 Dallas, Texas
Finalists:
1946 Charley Trippi Georgia , Sr. HB 6-0 181 Pittston, Pa.
Finalists:
1945 Felix "Doc" Blanchard Army , Jr. HB 6-0 205 Bishopville, S.C.
Finalists:
1944 Glenn Davis Army , So. HB 5-9 170 Claremont, Calif.
Finalists:
1943 Bob Odell Pennsylvania , Sr. HB 5-11 182 Sioux City, Iowa
Finalists:
1942 Paul Governali Columbia , Sr. QB 5-11 186 New York, N.Y.
Finalists:
1941 Bill Dudley Virginia , Sr. HB 5-10 170 Bluefield, Va.
Finalists:
1940 Tom Harmon Michigan , Sr. HB 6-0 195 Gary, Ind.
Finalists:
1939 Nile Kinnick Iowa , Sr. HB 5-8 167 Omaha, Neb.
Finalists:
1938 Davey O'Brien TCU , Sr. QB 5-7 150 Dallas, Texas
Finalists:
1937 Clint Frank Yale , Sr. HB 5-10 190 Evanston, Ill.
Finalists:

Award Info

2025 Key Dates
Watch List: Mon., Jul 28
Semifinalists: Wed., Nov 12
Finalists: Tue., Nov 25
Winner: Fri., Dec 12

Awards Gala: Fri., Feb 13
College Football Hall of Fame
Atlanta, Ga.
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