2023 National College Football Awards Association Watch Lists

Maxwell Award (Mon., July 31)

Eleven Big Ten students received mention on the Maxwell Trophy preseason watch list. Each year the Maxwell Football Club presents the Maxwell Award for the College Player of the Year. This award is presented in honor of Robert W. (Tiny) Maxwell, legendary college player, official and sports columnist.

A student from a current Big Ten football program has been presented with the Maxwell Award on 20 occasions since the award's inception in 1937, with Penn State's Larry Johnson the most recent recipient in 2002. [FULL LIST]

• Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

• Hudson Card, Purdue

• Blake Corum, Michigan

• Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

• Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

• J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

• Cade McNamara, Iowa

• Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin

• Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

• Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

• Isaiah Williams, Illinois

Outland Trophy (Tue., Aug 1)

Eleven Big Ten standouts were chosen for this year’s Outland Trophy preseason watch list, awarded each year to the country’s top interior lineman, announced on Tuesday by the Football Writers Association of America.

Dating back to the Outland Trophy’s inception in 1946, students from current Big Ten schools have earned the award 27 times, most recently in 2022 when Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi was recognized. [FULL LIST]

Fourteen Big Ten students earned mention on this year’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, presented annually to the national defensive player of the year, following the announcement made Tuesday by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Students from current Big Ten schools have received the Nagurski Trophy six times since the award’s debut in 1993, with the latest being Ohio State’s Chase Young in 2019. [FULL LIST]

Lou Groza Award (Wed., Aug. 2)

A trio of Big Ten Conference special teams standouts appear on the 2023 preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented each season to the nation’s top placekicker, it was announced Wednesday by the Palm Beach County (Fla.) Sports Commission.

A student from a current Big Ten school has walked away with the Groza Award four times since its debut in 1992, with Michigan’s Jake Moody the most recent recipient in 2021. [FULL LIST]

Ray Guy Award (Wed., Aug. 2)

Five Big Ten Conference standouts appear on the 2023 preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award, presented annually to the country’s best punter, it was announced Wednesday by the Augusta (Ga.) Sports Council.

Since the award’s inception in 2000, Big Ten students have earned the trophy four times, the latest in 2022 when Rutgers’ Adam Korsak was selected. [FULL LIST]

• Brian Buschini, Nebraska

• Colton Spangler, Maryland

• Jack Ansell, Purdue

• James Evans, Indiana

• Jesse Mirco, Ohio State

Paul Hornung Award (Thu., Aug. 3)

Five Big Ten Conference students appeared on the 2023 preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, presented each year to the country’s most versatile college football player, according to Thursday’s announcement by the Louisville Sports Commission.

In 2016, Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers became the first student from a current Big Ten school to earn the Hornung Award since it was first presented in 2010. Purdue’s Rondale Moore won the award in 2018. [FULL LIST]

• Cooper DeJean, Iowa

• Chimere Dike, Wisconsin

• Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

• Jaylin Lucas, Indiana

• Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Wuerffel Trophy (Thu., Aug. 3)

Three Big Ten Conference standouts earned mention on this year’s preseason watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, given each year to the college football student who best combines exemplary community service with academic and athletic achievement, following releases on Thursday morning.

In 2006, Ohio State’s Joel Penton became the first student from a current Big Ten school to earn the Wuerffel Trophy in the award’s 12-year history. [FULL LIST]

Mackey Award (Fri., Aug. 4)

A total of nine Big Ten Conference student-athletes will start the 2023 season appearing on the John Mackey Award preseason watch list, it was announced Friday by the Nassau County Sports Commission and Friends of John Mackey.

The John Mackey Award was first presented in 2000 as a celebration of the most outstanding collegiate tight end while exemplifying the play, sportsmanship, academics and community service of the late legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey.

Current Big Ten schools have produced five John Mackey Award winners in the award's two decades of existence, with Iowa's T.J. Hockenson the latest Big Ten recipient in 2018. [FULL LIST]

• Erick All, Iowa

• A.J. Barner, Michigan

• Theo Johnson, Penn State

• Luke Lachey, Iowa

• Johnny Langan, Rutgers

• Colston Loveland, Michigan

• Tip Reiman, Illinois

• Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota

• Cade Stover, Ohio State

Rimington Trophy (Fri., Aug. 4)

Five Big Ten Conference student-athletes received mention on the 2023 Rimington Trophy watch list, it was revealed Friday by the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

The Rimington Trophy debuted in 2000 and is presented annually to the nation's top offensive center. It is named is honor for former Nebraska All-American Dave Rimington.

Ten students from current Big Ten schools have been selected as Rimington Trophy recipients since its inception 23 years ago, with Michigan’s Olusegun Oluwatimi the most recent Big Ten honoree in 2022. [FULL LIST]

Biletnikoff Award (Mon., Aug. 7)

Five Big Ten student-athletes have been recognized as part of the 2023 Biletnikoff Award watch list, it was revealed Monday by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.

Named for the former Florida State and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, the Biletnikoff Award was first presented in 1994 and recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) receiver, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, split end, inside receiver, slot back or running back) — any player who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award honors the outstanding receiver and not merely the outstanding wide receiver.

Four Big Ten pass catchers have received the Biletnikoff Award since it was first presented in 1994, the most recent being Michigan's Braylon Edwards in 2004. [FULL LIST]

Davey O'Brien Award (Tue., Aug. 8)

Four Big Ten standouts earned mention on this year's Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch list.

The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback. The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.

A student from a current Big Ten school has received the Davey O'Brien Award six times since its debut in 1981, with the most recent being Ohio State's Troy Smith in 2006. [FULL LIST]

• J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Jr., 6-3, 202, La Grange Park, Ill.

• Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-2, 218, Waco, Texas

• Jeff Sims, Nebraska, Jr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.

• Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Sr., 5-11, 208, Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Doak Walker Award (Wed., Aug. 9)

Fourteen Big Ten Conference students have earned a place on the 2023 preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, as announced Wednesday by the SMU Athletic Forum.

The Doak Walker Award was created in 1989 to recognize the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. It is the only major collegiate football award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

Ten students from current Big Ten schools have received the Doak Walker Award since it was first presented in 1990, with Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III being the award's most recent Big Ten recipient in 2021. [FULL LIST]

• Braelon Allen (Jr.), Wisconsin

• Kaytron Allen (So.), Penn State

• Blake Corum (Sr.), Michigan

• Donovan Edwards (Jr.), Michigan

• Roman Hemby (So.), Maryland

• TreVeyon Henderson (Jr.), Ohio State

• Kaleb Johnson (So.), Iowa

• Reggie Love III (Sr.), Illinois

• Jaylin Lucas (So.), Indiana

• Josh McCray (So.), Illinois

• Chez Mellusi (Grad.), Wisconsin

• Devin Mockobee (So.), Purdue

• Nicholas Singleton (So.), Penn State

• Miyan Williams (Sr.), Ohio State

Butkus Award (Thu., Aug. 10)

Twelve Big Ten students have been named to this year’s Butkus Award preseason watch list, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker, according to Thursday’s announcements by the Butkus Foundation.

Eleven Butkus Award recipients have matriculated from current Big Ten schools since the award debuted in 1985, with Iowa’s Jack Campbell being the most recent Big Ten honoree in 2022. [FULL LIST]

• Jaishawn Barham, Maryland

• Michael Barrett, Michigan

• Abdul Carter, Penn State

• Aaron Casey, Indiana

• Steele Chambers, Ohio State

• Junior Colson, Michigan

• Tommy Eichenberg (SF), Ohio State

• Cal Haladay, Michigan State

• Nick Jackson, Iowa

• Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

• Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin

• Tyreem Powell, Rutgers

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (Thu., Aug. 10)

Six Big Ten Conference students appear on the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award watch list, it was announced Thursday by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. The Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

A student from a current Big Ten school has earned the Jim Thorpe Award seven times since its inception in 1986, with Iowa’s Desmond King the most recent Big Ten recipient in 2015. [FULL LIST]

• Denzel Burke, Ohio State

• Cooper DeJean, Iowa

• Will Johnson, Michigan

• Kalen King, Penn State

• Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

• Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

Walter Camp Award (Fri., Aug. 11)

Eleven Big Ten Conference students appear on the 2023 preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award (presented annually to the nation’s best college football player), according to Friday’s announcement by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

In the award’s 56-year history, students from current Big Ten schools have been named the Walter Camp Player of the Year 14 times, with the most recent conference honoree coming in 2022 when Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III received the trophy. [FULL LIST]

• Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

• Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

• Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State

• Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State

• Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State

• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

• Jaylin Lucas, RB/KR, Indiana

• J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

• Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

• Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State

Bednarik Award (Mon., Aug. 14)

Sixteen conference students earned a spot on the Bednarik Award preseason watch list. The College Defensive Player of the Year Award is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Since the Bednarik Award's debut in 1995, 10 students from Big Ten schools have earned the honor, most recently in 2019 by Ohio State's Chase Young. [FULL LIST]

• Jaishawn Barham, Maryland

• Abdul Carter, Penn State

• Andre Carter, Indiana

• Junior Colson, Michigan

• Cooper DeJean, Iowa

• Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

• Cal Haladay, Michigan State

• Kris Jenkins, Michigan

• Kalen King, Penn State

• Aaron Lewis, Rutgers

• Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois

• Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin

• Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

• Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois

• Chop Robinson, Penn State

• JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
  Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Tue., Aug 1)