College football is right around the corner, and three of Mississippi’s most prominent players have earned spots on the Maxwell Award watch list.
Up for the award for the best player in college football, named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, are Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, Southern Miss running back Frank Gore, Jr., and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins.
The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 87th Maxwell Award presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. #MaxwellFootball #MaxwellAward
Check out the full list here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PgLosFbnJY
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 31, 2023
Rogers, who is entering his fourth season with the Bulldogs, finished the 2022 season with 3,974 passing yards and conference-leading 35 touchdowns in the late Mike Leach’s air raid system. Though the Brandon native will have to acclimate to the system of new offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay, analysts expect the veteran quarterback to thrive in his senior campaign.
Gore, in his third season with the Golden Eagles, mounted 1,382 yards on the ground and ran for nine touchdowns. The Southern Miss star also showcased his throwing abilities with 191 yards in the air and four passing touchdowns. Gore, a preseason first-team All-Sun Belt running back, is anticipated to be one of the conference’s most dynamic rushers in 2023.
Judkins, a first-team All-American, finished an impressive freshman season with an SEC-best 1,567 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The sophomore back will look to replicate the success he had in year one under the leadership of head coach Lane Kiffin, whose teams have consistently finished top five in the conference in rushing since arriving in Oxford.
Mississippi State, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss will all begin the 2023 season on September 2.
