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BYU quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Jamaal Williams on Monday received the first of what are sure to be many preseason honors, as both were among 76 players named to the watch list for the 78th annual Maxwell Award, presented to the College Player of the Year.
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Hill enters his junior season as BYU's all-time leader in QB rushing yards, with 1,680. His 14 career rushing touchdowns are second to Steve Young's 18.
Last season, Hill finished 10th in FBS total offense yards/game (329.4) and was third in QB rushing yards/game (103.4). In a win at Houston, Hill became only the seventh FBS player to pass for 400+ yards (417) and rush for 100+ yards (128) in the same game. His 60 runs from scrimmage of 10 yards or more were second nationally in 2013.
Hill's 2,938 passing yards in 2013 represent the fourth-highest sophomore tally in BYU football history, with only Ty Detmer (4,560), Max Hall (3,848) and John Walsh (3,727) having passed for more yards in their sophomore season.
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Williams enters the 2014 season in 10th place on BYU's career rushing yardage list. His 1,233 rush yards in 2013 represent the 5th highest single-season total in BYU history, while his 219 yards gained at Nevada last season are also 5th on BYU's all-time single-game tally.
Heading into his junior-season campaign, Williams is 1,448 rushing yards away from setting BYU's career record, currently held by Harvey Unga.
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The Maxwell Award is one of 21 annual awards sanctioned by the National College Football Awards Association. Over the next two weeks, watch lists for 15 of the awards will be released as follows:
Mon., July 7: Bednarik Award/Maxwell Award
Tue., July 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Wed., July 9: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Thurs., July 10: Bronko Nagurski Trophy/Outland Trophy
Fri., July 11: Jim Thorpe Award
Mon., July 14: Butkus Award/Rotary Lombardi Award
Tue., July 15: Biletnikoff Award
Wed., July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Thurs., July 17: Doak Walker Award
Fri., July 18: Walter Camp Award
BYU Football Players on 2014 College Football Award Watch Lists
Player | Position | Award | Recognition | No. of nominees | Semifinalists | Finalists | Winner | Sponsoring Organization |
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Taysom Hill | QB | Maxwell Award* | College Player of the Year | 76 | Nov.3 | Nov. 24 | Dec.11 | Maxwell Football Club |
Jamaal Williams | RB | Maxwell Award* | College Player of the Year | 76 | Nov.3 | Nov.24 | Dec.11 | Maxwell Football Club |
Jamaal Williams | RB | CFPA Running Back Trophy | RB of the Year | 40 | Jan. 14, 2015 | College Football Performance Awards | ||
Alani Fua | LB | CFPA Linebacker Trophy | LB of the Year | 40 | Jan. 14, 2015 | College Football Performance Awards |
* Award sanctioned by the National College Football Awards Association