Wisconsin Badgers RB Montee Ball, RB James White (pictured above) and QB Russell Wilson have all been named to the 65-man watch list for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the nation’s best college football player.
Ball and White were integral parts of the Badgers’ three-headed rushing attack in 2010 while combining for 2048 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.
Wilson recently committed to Wisconsin after playing three seasons at NC State where he was the 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-ACC selection.
Ball (pictured above) is entering his junior season in the backfield after having a breakout season in 2010. As a sophomore, Ball really turned it on late in the season, including four starts in the Badgers’ final four games. In the Rose Bowl, Ball rushed for 132 yards and scored a touchdown versus a stout TCU defense.
White burst on the scene for the first time last season and didn’t turn back en route to the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award. Against Austin Peay, White tied a freshman record with four touchdowns in one game. He also led the team in rushing yards and all-purpose yards.
Wilson is one of the Badgers’ newest additions after announcing his commitment to the school just over a week ago. Some think Wilson lifts Wisconsin to Big Ten Preseason Favorites while others think he may struggle. All we know for sure is that Wilson is a threat to run or pass at any time and brings an entirely different dynamic to an already dangerous Badgers team. Last season with the Wolfpack, Wilson threw for 3,563 yards and ran for another 435.
Voters for the Maxwell College Awards are NCAA head college football coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club, sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.
Auburn’s Cam Newton took home the 2010 Maxwell Award, which has gone to a quarterback in each of the last eight years. The last time a non-quarterback won the award was 2002, when Penn State running back Larry Johnson took home the honor Usually the winner of the Heisman Trophy also takes home the Maxwell award.
Complete 2011 Maxwell Award Watch List:
Do you think Ball, White or Wilson have a shot at winning the Heisman or Maxwell awards? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.