Clayton Thorson, Paddy Fisher, and Joe Gaziano received some preseason recognition as each Wildcat was named to the watch list for a couple prestigious college football awards.
Thorson was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award honors the best all-around player in college football. Thorson was one of 41 (!) quarterbacks on the watch list. Trace McSorley, Brian Lewerke, Shea Patterson, and Nate Stanley were also named to the watch list, which gives you an idea of how voters see Thorson slotting in among Big Ten quarterbacks.