Maxwell Award Watch Lists Expand as Ohio State Awaits Five-Star QB Decision

College football's preseason award season accelerated on Monday as multiple programs announced quarterbacks had been named to the Maxwell Award watch list, while Ohio State waited on a pivotal recruiting decision from a five-star signal-caller expected to commit later this week.

The Maxwell Award, presented annually to the College Football Player of the Year, drew a broad field of preseason nominees. USC's Jayden Maiava and Waymond Jordan were among those recognized, with the Trojans' athletics department confirming both players' inclusion on the list. Washington's Demond Williams Jr. was also named a player to watch for the award, joining a growing roster of signal-callers drawing early national attention.

Lewis, Barnett Among Other Notable Nominees

Colorado starting quarterback Julian Lewis earned a spot on the Maxwell Award watch list ahead of the 2026 season, adding another prominent name to the preseason conversation. Lewis is entering the year as one of the more closely watched quarterbacks in the sport. UCF's Alonza Barnett III also received recognition; the dual-threat quarterback arrived in Orlando after helping James Madison reach the playoffs and is tasked with ending the Knights' bowl drought.

Against that backdrop of award-season activity, Ohio State found itself monitoring the recruiting calendar closely. The Buckeyes are hoping a five-star quarterback prospect will announce his commitment to the program before the week is out, a decision that would carry significant implications for their depth chart heading into fall camp.

The convergence of Maxwell Award nominations and high-stakes recruiting decisions reflects the heightened activity that typically marks early August in college football, as programs finalize rosters and individual players position themselves for national recognition before the season begins.