The Maxwell Football Club has begun announcing its pared-back lists for its prestigious awards. This week, the Maxwell Award semifinalists have been released. Among the field of 16, three players from the Big Ten are still alive to take some the College Football Player of the Year award. This preseason, 12 players from the Big Ten were placed on the preseason watchlist and two of the three semifinalists for the award were not on the initial list.
Three finalists for each award will be announced on November 26th and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors, and selected national media. The winner will be announced on ESPN on December 12.
Three Big Ten Stars are Maxwell Award Semifinalists
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Through nine games, the Indiana Hoosiers are 9-0. Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke has been an integral part of the surprising start and is playing every bit as well as any quarterback in the nation. The 2022 MAC MVP has made the leap to the Big Ten seamlessly.
The senior quarterback is sitting with 2,410 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 71.8 percent of his passes. His touchdown mark is second-best in the Big Ten and 12th at the FBS level. According to Pro Football Focus, Rourke is the highest-rated passer with a 92.3 grade and is second with a 182.7 passing efficiency.
In addition to the Maxwell Award, Rourke is a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award.
Rourke is trying to be just the second Indiana player to win the Maxwell Award, following Anthony Thompson in 1989.
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Statistically, the top running back in the Big Ten has been Kaleb Johnson this year. Through 10 games, Johnson has broken out for the Hawkeyes to the tune of 1,328 yards and 20 touchdowns off 188 carries. Each of those marks leads the Big Ten. In terms of national ranks, Johnson is second, third, and ninth, respectively.
Johnson has seven 100-yard performances this year, topped off by a 206-yard, three-touchdown performance in the win over Minnesota.
When the Doak Walker Award announces its semifinalists, there’s a great chance Johnson will be honored.
Johnson has the chance to join Nile Kinnick (1939) and Chuck Long (1985) as Maxwell winners from Iowa.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
The top-ranked Oregon Ducks are led by Dillon Gabriel, a potential Heisman Trophy finalist. The Southpaw quarterback is putting together yet another great season after two previous seasons leading two different conferences in passing.
This year, Gabriel has led the Ducks to a perfect 10-0 mark behind 2,848 yards and 22 passing touchdowns. Both marks lead the way in the Big Ten. His 74.1 percent completion percentage leads the nation, just as his predecessor did.
The former UCF and Oklahoma quarterback has found the fountain of youth. In every game but one this year, Gabriel has thrown for at least 243 yards and has scored at least once in every game. His veteran leadership has been invaluable for the Ducks who are looking for the program’s first national title.
Gabriel was also named to the Davey O’Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award semifinalist lists.
If Gabriel ends up winning the award, he will be just the second Oregon player to do so, joining 2014 Marcus Mariota.
The Rest of the Field
- Jalen Milroe, Alabama
- Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
- Bryson Daily, Army
- Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
- Travis Hunter, Colorado
- Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
- Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
- Quinn Ewers, Texas
- Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
