Washington Huskies Football: Price, Sankey Named To Maxwell Award Watch List
By Evan Webeck
Oct. 20, 2012; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback (17) Keith Price warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Monday morning, the Maxwell Football Club announced its 75-player watch list for the Maxwell Award, given out to the best college football player each season – similar to the Heisman Trophy. It was no surprise to see a Husky on the list; some may have even expected more. Alas, running back Bishop Sankey and quarterback Keith Price are the lone Washington Huskies representatives on the preseason watch list.
It was a bit of a shock not to see Austin Seferian-Jenkins on the watch list for an award that goes to the best player in college football, seeing as he is the best at his position. He’s such a talented tight end that it could justify putting a tight end on the list. At least there weren’t any tight ends, or else we’d have a problem on our hands.
It was especially surprising to see Price listed. Not to say he can’t go back to his sophomore self, but after last season, it’s unexpected. With 32 quarterbacks on the list, it may not be saying much, but it is still an honor to be named one of college football’s top-75 players.
There were 15 players from the Pac-12 on the list, comprising 20 percent of of the players. Arizona State leads the conference with three nominees.
Last season the Maxwell Award and Heisman Trophy has the same three finalists: Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), Manti Te’o (Notre Dame) and Colin Klein (Kansas State). However, they had two different winners. Manziel took home the Heisman, while Te’o won the Maxwell Award.
Though they generally are awarded for the same thing, the two awards have only been given to the same winner twice in the last 10 years. In 2007 to Tim Tebow and in 2010 to Cam Newton. If a Price or Sankey wins the Maxwell Award, he will be the first Husky to do so.
The Bednarik Award watch list was also announced Monday morning with no Huskies represented.