As one of the most highly regarded recruits in Oregon football history, great things were expected of Jonathan Stewart. As he enters his junior season, the running back will be under more scrutiny as a member of the Maxwell Award watch list.
The Maxwell Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in the country, was won by Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in 2006.
The 65 players on the list announced Monday were selected based on their 2006 performances, Maxwell Football Club president Ron Jaworski said.
Stewart scored 11 touchdowns and rushed for 981 yards on 183 carries in 2006, earning second-team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors. He was sixth in the country in kickoff returns, averaging 28.1 yards per attempt.
Semifinalists will be announced in early November and three finalists will be named later that month. The 2007 Maxwell Award winner will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show Dec. 6. Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn was the winner in 2006.