BYU Quarterback Zach Wilson Named To Maxwell Award Watch List For Second Consecutive Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Junior BYU quarterback Zach Wilson was named to the Maxwell Award watch list for the second year in a row.

Since 1937, the Maxwell Award has been presented annually to college football’s most outstanding player.

On Friday, July 24, it was announced that Wilson was on the award’s watch list for the second consecutive preseason.

Zach Wilson has been named to the 2020 watch list for the 84th Maxwell Award presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.#BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/G0gO5fTfYY

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) July 24, 2020

Wilson will enter the 2020 season after having played a total of 16 games during his first two seasons at BYU.

The 2020 Maxwell Award Watch List has dropped! Check out some of the best players in college football! #maxwellaward #maxwellfootball #ncfaa pic.twitter.com/r0yZIEM62g

— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 24, 2020

He took over the starting quarterback job midway through his true freshman campaign and earned the starting nod to open the 2019 season. Wilson missed multiple games last season after suffering a broken thumb in the Cougars’ road loss to Toledo. He regained the starting QB position late in the season after he recovered from the injury.

In 2019, Wilson threw for 2,382 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Zach Wilson continues to make clutch plays week in and week out!

(Via @ESPNCFB)pic.twitter.com/GqVHl2JdsN

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 14, 2019

Former BYU quarterback Ty Detmer won the Maxwell Award in 1990 and is the only Cougar to win the award.

Wilson joined five other BYU players who have been nominated for preseason award watch lists. Those players include:

• Lopini Katoa – Doak Walker Award, Paul Hornung Award
• Matt Bushman – Mackey Award
• James Empey – Outland Trophy
• Khyiris Tonga – Outland Trophy, Nagurski Trophy
• Bracken El-Bakri – Wuerffel Trophy