Maxwell Award Watch List Includes 80 Top College Football Players Nationwide

The Maxwell Football Club has announced the 80-player watch list for the 2025 Maxwell Award, which honors the most outstanding player in college football. Notable candidates include Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and wide receiver Antonio Williams, as well as Georgia Tech's senior quarterback Haynes King and senior running back Jamal Haynes, with both schools among 17 programs having multiple players on the list. Cade Klubnik and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt are returning semifinalists, while Penn State leads with three candidates. Haynes King is recognized as one of the nation's top quarterbacks, setting school and ACC records in completion percentage and touchdowns responsible for, while Jamal Haynes has earned all-ACC honors after consecutive 900-yard rushing seasons. The Maxwell Football Club collaborates with Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele Publications for player evaluations, with semifinalists to be announced in November 2025 and the winner revealed at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards. The 2024 Maxwell Award winner, Ashton Jeanty, was a first-round NFL draft pick, underscoring the award's prestige.