Three Ohio State Buckeyes Named To 2024 Maxwell Award Watchlist

The Maxwell Award Watchlist was released on Monday and three Ohio State Buckeyes made the list. One former Ohio State starting quarterback also made the list.

Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) passes to Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) for a touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 Maxwell Award Watchlist was announced on Monday and it contained the names of 80 college football players. Three happen to be current Ohio State Buckeyes and two are former Ohio State quarterbacks.

This year will be the 88th Maxwell Award which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

Quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka are the three representatives for the Buckeyes on the preseason watchlist. Ohio State tied for the most representatives of any team with three. The Miami Hurricanes are the only other team to have three players currently on the watchlist.

The day is FINALLY here 🏈

Check out the 2024 #MaxwellFootball Watchlist 👀#MaxwellFootball

🔗: https://t.co/DvapuYnj8m pic.twitter.com/TAklTkqZSD

— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 29, 2024

In addition to Howard, Judkins and Egbuka being named to the watchlist, there are actually two former Ohio State quarterbacks to make the list. Quinn Ewers is the lone representative for the Texas Longhorns and Kyle McCord is one of two representatives for the Syracuse Orange. McCord was the starting quarterback for Ohio State last season before transferring to Syracuse.

Despite the strong representation from the Buckeyes on the watchlist, the Big Ten Conference sits behind the ACC, SEC and Big 12 in total representatives. The ACC has the most with 20, while the SEC and the Big 12 both have 15. The Big Ten only has 12 total.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 12th and then the three finalists will be announced on November 26th. The winner of the 88th Maxwell Award will then be announced on December 12th during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) takes a hand off from quarterback Will Howard (18) during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

If the Ohio State Buckeyes truly make a run towards a Big Ten Championship and National Championship this season, then Howard, Judkins and Egbuka will all likely need to make significant contributions in 2024. Perhaps one of these three will be in the conversation for the award come November.