Every year, just weeks before the college football season kicks off, a group of more than 75 players is included on the Maxwell Award Watch List. This year, 80 players were included, and just one Illinois Fighting Illini made the cut.
Returning starting quarterback Luke Altmyer found his name about halfway through the list of players this Monday, alongside stars like Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith, and Ryan Williams. Altmyer was the only Illini athlete on the list. The Penn State Nittany Lions had the most appearances with three: quarterback Drew Aller, running back Nicholas Singleton, and running back Kaytron Allen.