Latest news with #MaxwellAward
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oregon's Dan Lanning may have landed a Maxwell Award contender — before he's even taken a snap
Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are fresh off a Big Ten championship, but their College Football Playoff appearance didn't leave a lasting impression. Determined to change that, the Ducks hit the transfer portal this offseason — and one name is already standing out. Enter Makhi Hughes, the Tulane transfer who's turning heads before even taking a snap in Eugene. Hughes was recently named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list, which recognizes college football's top player based on performance, leadership, and sportsmanship. He checks every box — and now has the stage to show what he can do on a national level. Last year, Boise State's Ashton Jeanty took home the Maxwell after a dominant campaign. Hughes might not match Jeanty's numbers, but his impact could be just as meaningful. With Oregon looking to make a deeper playoff run, Hughes is in position to be a difference-maker in one of the country's most dynamic offenses. He's coming off back-to-back 1,300-yard seasons at Tulane. Last fall, he ran for 1,401 yards and found the end zone 17 times — all while carrying the bulk of the offensive load. That's not just productive. That's elite. Now, he joins an Oregon backfield that's become a launching pad for star running backs. In recent years, the Ducks have turned players like Bucky Irving and Jordan James into household names. Hughes has already proven he can produce — now he gets to do it with better weapons around him and a much bigger spotlight. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp If he builds on what he did at Tulane, Hughes won't just boost Oregon's championship chances — he'll be in the thick of the national awards conversation. The Maxwell Award watch list is just the start. With his talent and this opportunity, Hughes has the tools to make noise all season long. Don't be surprised if his name is still in the mix when the Maxwell finalists are announced.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Reveals Arch Manning News on Monday
Texas Reveals Arch Manning News on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The anticipation is building in Austin, Texas, as the Longhorns gear up for a highly anticipated college football season—and much of that excitement centers around quarterback Arch Manning. After spending the past two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, the former five-star recruit and No. 1 player in the Class of 2023 is expected to take over as the starting quarterback. Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, made several appearances last season, but now steps into the spotlight with full control of the offense. He'll face his toughest test right out of the gate on Aug. 30, when Texas travels to Columbus for a College Football Playoff semifinal rematch against Ohio State—a team that ended the Longhorns' season last year en route to the national championship. Still, with all that now behind him, the hype surrounding Manning—both as a Heisman hopeful and an early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft—continues to build, and on Monday, it received yet another boost. Texas announced that Manning and running back Tre Wisner have both been named to the preseason watchlist for the Maxwell Award, which is presented annually to the best player in college football. The Maxwell Award is one of the most prestigious honors in college football, presented annually to the nation's Most Outstanding Player. Arch Manning's inclusion on the preseason watchlist adds to a growing list of accolades as he prepares for his first full season as Texas' starting quarterback. Last week, he was also named to the All-SEC Preseason Third Team—an impressive nod for a player who has yet to truly showcase himself on the field for an extensive period. Even Manning has acknowledged the hype may be premature. Speaking at SEC Media Days, he addressed the attention he's received and the early Heisman buzz. 'I'm not sure how they get these opinions—I've only played, what, two games?' Manning said. 'It's nice of them to say, but it doesn't mean anything. Talk is cheap. I've got to go prove it.'This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Business Wire
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Wire
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association Proudly Reveal the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2025 Preseason Watch List
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. This list includes 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing nine conferences and one independent university. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses. 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List Xavion Alford, Safety, Arizona State, Sr. Ty Benefield, Safety, Boise State, Jr. KJ Bolden, Safety, Georgia, So. Bud Clark, Safety, TCU, Sr. Jeremiah Cooper, Safety, Iowa State, Sr. Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State, Jr. Daylen Everette, Cornerback, Georgia, Sr. David Fisher, Cornerback, North Texas, Sr. Chance Gamble, Cornerback, Georgia Southern, Sr. Brylan Green, Safety, Liberty, Sr. Tyler Hallum, Cornerback, Kennesaw State, Sr. Al'zillion Hamilton, Cornerback, Fresno State, Sr. Davison Igbinosun, Cornerback, Ohio State, Sr. Casey Larkin, Safety, Army, Sr. A'Marion McCoy, Cornerback, Boise State, Sr. Jermod McCoy, Cornerback, Tennessee, Jr. Leonard Moore, Cornerback, Notre Dame, So. Terry Moore, Safety, Duke, Sr. Malik Muhammad, Cornerback, Texas, Jr. Isaiah Nwokobia, Safety, SMU, Sr. Tank Pearson, Cornerback, Ohio, Gr. Sr. Koi Perich, Safety, Minnesota, So. D'Angelo Ponds, Cornerback, Indiana, Jr. Chandler Rivers, Cornerback, Duke, Sr. De'Shawn Rucker, Cornerback, South Florida, Sr. Xavier Scott, Cornerback, Illinois, Sr. Tyree Skipper, Safety, Louisiana, Sr. Avery Smith, Cornerback, Toledo, Sr. Michael Taaffe, Safety, Texas, Sr. Avieon Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson, Jr. Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon, Jr. Jacob Thomas, Safety, James Madison, Sr. DJ Walker, Safety, Ohio, So. JeRico Washington Jr., Cornerback, Kennesaw State, So. Jontez Williams, Cornerback, Iowa State, Jr. By Conference AAC (3), ACC (4), Big 12 (4), Big Ten (6), CUSA (3), Independent (1), MAC (3), MW (3), SEC (5), Sun Belt (3) The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit for more information. Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a 15-day period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2025 preseason watch list calendar: Mon., July 28: Maxwell Award Tue., July 29: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy Wed., July 30: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/Butkus Award Thu., July 31: Paul Hornung Award/Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Fri., Aug. 1: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award Mon., Aug. 4: Walter Camp Award Tue., Aug. 5: Doak Walker Award Wed., Aug. 6: Biletnikoff Award Thu., Aug. 7: Davey O'Brien Award Fri., Aug. 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy Mon., Aug. 11: Bednarik Award Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates Wed., July 30: Preseason Watch List Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET Tue., Oct. 28: Semifinalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists. Tue., Nov. 25: Finalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Fri., Dec. 12: Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards The winner will be announced on the ESPN live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards at 7 p.m. ET. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others. Tue., Feb. 10, 2026: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2025 Winner in Oklahoma City The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries. For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner Jahdae Barron, The University of Texas Jahdae Barron attended John B. Connally High School in Austin, Texas, where he starred on the football and track and field teams. He was selected First-Team 5-A 11 All-District as a defensive back his junior season and earned Second-Team 5A All-State his senior year. In addition to defensive back, Barron also played wide receiver and returned kickoffs and punts for Connally. He finished his senior season at Connally as one of the highest rated defensive backs in the country and attended The University of Texas following high school. Barron appeared in five games for the Texas Longhorns as a freshman. Barron saw more playing time as a sophomore, appearing in nine games and making two starts during the 2021 season. He came into his own as a junior, playing in 13 games and making nine starts. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 and finished 2022 with 78 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and led Texas with 11.5 tackles for loss. Barron continued his excellence on the field in 2023. He was named a Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist and selected Second-Team All-Big 12. He finished 2023 with 61 tackles (32 solo), one interception and six pass breakups. Barron became the best defensive back in the country in 2024, winning the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Barron started all 16 games for the Longhorns in 2024. He led the SEC and finished fourth in the country with five interceptions. Barron was named First-Team All-America by the Associated Press and First-Team All-SEC. In addition to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Barron was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and helped lead the Longhorns to a College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance. Barron had three solo tackles and two pass breakups in the opening round victory over Clemson. He was named the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP in the Longhorns' quarterfinal win against Arizona State as Texas advanced to the CFP Semifinals for a second straight season. Barron finished the 2024 season with 67 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Jahdae Barron was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors. Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC) ('Paycom'), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame jointly announced in May 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named the 'Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.'
Business Wire
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Wire
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List. This list includes 35 of the nation's best defensive backs, representing nine conferences and one independent university. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the semifinalists and finalists lists as the season progresses. 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List Xavion Alford, Safety, Arizona State, Sr. Ty Benefield, Safety, Boise State, Jr. KJ Bolden, Safety, Georgia, So. Bud Clark, Safety, TCU, Sr. Jeremiah Cooper, Safety, Iowa State, Sr. Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State, Jr. Daylen Everette, Cornerback, Georgia, Sr. David Fisher, Cornerback, North Texas, Sr. Chance Gamble, Cornerback, Georgia Southern, Sr. Brylan Green, Safety, Liberty, Sr. Tyler Hallum, Cornerback, Kennesaw State, Sr. Al'zillion Hamilton, Cornerback, Fresno State, Sr. Davison Igbinosun, Cornerback, Ohio State, Sr. Casey Larkin, Safety, Army, Sr. A'Marion McCoy, Cornerback, Boise State, Sr. Jermod McCoy, Cornerback, Tennessee, Jr. Leonard Moore, Cornerback, Notre Dame, So. Terry Moore, Safety, Duke, Sr. Malik Muhammad, Cornerback, Texas, Jr. Isaiah Nwokobia, Safety, SMU, Sr. Tank Pearson, Cornerback, Ohio, Gr. Sr. Koi Perich, Safety, Minnesota, So. D'Angelo Ponds, Cornerback, Indiana, Jr. Chandler Rivers, Cornerback, Duke, Sr. De'Shawn Rucker, Cornerback, South Florida, Sr. Xavier Scott, Cornerback, Illinois, Sr. Tyree Skipper, Safety, Louisiana, Sr. Avery Smith, Cornerback, Toledo, Sr. Michael Taaffe, Safety, Texas, Sr. Avieon Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson, Jr. Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon, Jr. Jacob Thomas, Safety, James Madison, Sr. DJ Walker, Safety, Ohio, So. JeRico Washington Jr., Cornerback, Kennesaw State, So. Jontez Williams, Cornerback, Iowa State, Jr. By Conference AAC (3), ACC (4), Big 12 (4), Big Ten (6), CUSA (3), Independent (1), MAC (3), MW (3), SEC (5), Sun Belt (3) The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit for more information. Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a 15-day period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2025 preseason watch list calendar: Mon., July 28: Maxwell Award Tue., July 29: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy Wed., July 30: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/Butkus Award Thu., July 31: Paul Hornung Award/Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Fri., Aug. 1: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award Mon., Aug. 4: Walter Camp Award Tue., Aug. 5: Doak Walker Award Wed., Aug. 6: Biletnikoff Award Thu., Aug. 7: Davey O'Brien Award Fri., Aug. 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy Mon., Aug. 11: Bednarik Award Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Important Dates Wed., July 30: Preseason Watch List Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET Tue., Oct. 28: Semifinalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET A screening committee consisting of OSHOF members monitors all defensive backs throughout the season, including watch list players, and narrows the field to up to 15 semifinalists. Tue., Nov. 25: Finalists Announced at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET The three finalists are submitted to a national panel of over 250 sports writers, sportscasters, former players and coaches who vote to determine the winner of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Fri., Dec. 12: Winner Announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards The winner will be announced on the ESPN live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards at 7 p.m. ET. Other recognized NCFAA awards announced include the Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award, Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy, Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and others. Tue., Feb. 10, 2026: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet Honoring the 2025 Winner in Oklahoma City The official presentation of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award takes place in Oklahoma City, following The Home Depot College Football Awards. The current winner and all former winners are invited each year to celebrate. Over 600 supporters attend the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet each year, including many celebrities and dignitaries. For more information on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award and past award recipients, please visit 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Winner Jahdae Barron, The University of Texas Jahdae Barron attended John B. Connally High School in Austin, Texas, where he starred on the football and track and field teams. He was selected First-Team 5-A 11 All-District as a defensive back his junior season and earned Second-Team 5A All-State his senior year. In addition to defensive back, Barron also played wide receiver and returned kickoffs and punts for Connally. He finished his senior season at Connally as one of the highest rated defensive backs in the country and attended The University of Texas following high school. Barron appeared in five games for the Texas Longhorns as a freshman. Barron saw more playing time as a sophomore, appearing in nine games and making two starts during the 2021 season. He came into his own as a junior, playing in 13 games and making nine starts. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 and finished 2022 with 78 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and led Texas with 11.5 tackles for loss. Barron continued his excellence on the field in 2023. He was named a Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist and selected Second-Team All-Big 12. He finished 2023 with 61 tackles (32 solo), one interception and six pass breakups. Barron became the best defensive back in the country in 2024, winning the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Barron started all 16 games for the Longhorns in 2024. He led the SEC and finished fourth in the country with five interceptions. Barron was named First-Team All-America by the Associated Press and First-Team All-SEC. In addition to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Barron was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and helped lead the Longhorns to a College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance. Barron had three solo tackles and two pass breakups in the opening round victory over Clemson. He was named the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP in the Longhorns' quarterfinal win against Arizona State as Texas advanced to the CFP Semifinals for a second straight season. Barron finished the 2024 season with 67 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Jahdae Barron was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors. Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC) ('Paycom'), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame jointly announced in May 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade has been named the 'Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.'
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
SEC Network analyst 'all-in' on Oklahoma Sooners QB John Mateer
.@ChrisDoering is ALL IN on Oklahoma's John Mateer 👀📸 @OU_Football Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer has received plenty of hype and recognition since signing with OU last winter. However, after being one of two Sooners named to the Maxwell Award watch list earlier this week, there's one college football expert who thinks Mateer will take home an even more prestigious award. SEC Network analyst Chris Doering has big expectations for Mateer this season and believes he'll be named the best player in the SEC and in all of college football by the end of the season. "I'm high on him for a number of reasons," Doering said. "This guy has amazing athletic ability. He's comfortable in the offense that he's already been running at Washington State with Ben Arbuckle as the two come over to Norman together. But I look at his arm strength and his ability to move outside of the pocket and make plays when things break down. Everybody knows that he can run the football, so what do defenses have to do? They have to play vision coverage." Doering went on to describe several plays in which Mateer worked outside the pocket and made deep throws on the move to create big plays. "I'm all in on him," Doering said. "I think this guy is going to be the SEC Player of the Year, and I also think he's going to win the Heisman Trophy," Doering said. If Mateer does in fact win the Heisman Trophy this year, he'll be the eighth Sooner to do so, following running backs Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, and Billy Sims and quarterbacks Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray. Even a season where Mateer plays well enough to be a Heisman Trophy finalist would be absolutely massive for Oklahoma in 2025. Besides their four winners since 1999, OU has had four other players that made the cut as finalists over the last 26 years, but never took home the coveted bronze trophy. Josh Heupel, Adrian Peterson and Jalen Hurts all finished as runners-up, while Dede Westbrook placed fourth. Mateer follows his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, over from Washington State to Oklahoma. The pair will navigate their first season in the SEC side by side as they look to right the ship on the offensive side of the ball at OU. Mateer has impressed many this offseason with his confidence, demeanor, leadership and ability since arriving in Norman. It's simply hard to overstate how far a Heisman Trophy-level season out of the QB position could potentially take this team in 2025. The Sooners are counting on Mateer to be the centerpiece of their offensive bounce-back this year. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
