James Gilbert, the junior running back for the Ball State Cardinals was named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Award has been given annually since 1937 to the nation’s best football player. Toledo’s Logan Woodside was the only other MAC player to make the watch list this season.
Gilbert had a fantastic sophomore year in 2016, rushing for 1332 yards and 12 touchdowns. The yardage total was the 4th highest in Ball State history. For his work on the field, he was awarded the team’s MVP, known as the John Magnabosco Award.