The Maxwell Football Club has listed three Wildcats on their preseason watch lists for the College Player of the Year and College Defensive Player of the Year. Clayton Thorson and Justin Jackson were both named to the Maxwell Award watch list for Player of the Year. Safety Godwin Igwebuike was named to the Bednarik Award watch list for Defensive Player of the Year.
Clayton Thorson is entering his third year as Northwestern’s starting quarterback and has drawn a lot of preseason expectations after his solid season in 2016. Thorson threw for 3,182 yards, 22 TDs and 9 INTs in 2016, earning himself a passer rating of 125.