PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Eleven American Athletic Conference football players have earned preseason recognition on the preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award, which goes to the national player of the year, and the Bednarik Award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player.
The Maxwell Award lists Cincinnati running back Mike Boone and quarterback Gunner Kiel, Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr., USF running back Marlon Mack and Temple running back Jahad Thomas and quarterback P.J. Walker among the 90 players to watch in 2016.
The five American Athletic Conference players on the Bednarik Award watch list are UConn cornerback Jamar Summers, Houston linebacker Steven Taylor, USF cornerback Deatrick Nichols, Temple cornerback Sean Chandler and Tulane defensive tackle Tanzel Smart.