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QBs Andrew Luck, Kellen Moore & Robert Griffin Top 2011 Maxwell Award Semifinalists
Photo - QB Kellen Moore - Boise St.
2011 Maxwell and Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced the 2011 Semifinalists for the 75th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year and the 17th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. The respective lists include a field of 16 candidates for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards as selected by the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee.
Wisconsin's Russell Wilson, Houston's Case Keenum and Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles, who lead the nation in passing efficiency, total offense and receiving yards respectively, highlight the Maxwell nominations. Blackmon is one of five nominees from the Big 12 conference. On the defensive side of the ball, Boston College's Luke Kuechly and Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus, the FBS leaders in tackles and sacks respectively, head the nominees for the Bednarik Award. Alabama defensive back Mark Barron is one of six Bednarik nominees from the Southeastern Conference.
Last season, the Maxwell Award went to Cam Newton from Auburn University while the Bednarik went to conference-mate Patrick Peterson of LSU. Newton and Peterson now suit up for the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals respectively.
The winners of the 75th Maxwell Award and the 17th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards Show Powered by the Home Depot on December 8, 2011. Three finalists for each award will be announced on November 21, 2011 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club's Awards Dinner on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Harrah's Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday, November 1st and close on Sunday November 20th. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.
All Semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order with the player's school, position and class designated.
2011 Maxwell Award Semifinalists
Player / Class / Pos / College
Matt Barkley - Jr - QB - Southern Cal
Justin Blackmon - Jr - WR - Oklahoma St University
Tajh Boyd - So - QB - Clemson University
Ryan Broyles - Sr - WR - University of Oklahoma
Robert Griffin, III - Jr - QB - Baylor University
LaMichael James - Jr - RB - University of Oregon
Landry Jones - Jr - QB - University of Oklahoma
Case Keenum - Sr - QB - University of Houston
Andrew Luck - Sr - QB - Stanford University
Kellen Moore - Sr - QB - Boise St University
Chris Polk - Jr - RB - University of Washington
Trent Richardson - Jr - RB - University of Alabama
Brandon Weeden - Sr - QB - Oklahoma St University
Russell Wilson - Sr - QB - University of Wisconsin
David Wilson - Jr - RB - Virginia Tech University
Robert Woods - So - WR - Southern Cal
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2011 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Player / Class / Pos / College
Mark Barron - Sr - DB - University of Alabama
Arthur Brown - Jr - LB - Kansas St University
Vontaze Burfict - Jr - LB - Arizona St University
Morris Claiborne - Jr - DB - Louisiana St University
Lavonte David - Sr - LB - University of Nebraska
Dont'a Hightower - Jr - LB - University of Alabama
Melvin Ingram - Sr - DL- University of South Carolina
Luke Kuechly - Jr - LB - Boston College
Tyrann Mathieu - So - DB - Louisiana St University
Whitney Mercilus - Jr - DL - Unviersity of Illinois
Sean Spence - Sr - LB - University of Miami
Devon Still - Sr - DL - Penn St University
Manti Te'o - Jr - LB - University of Notre Dame
Chase Thomas - Sr - LB - Stanford University
Courtney Upshaw - Sr - LB - University of Alabama
Jerel Worthy - Jr - DL - Michigan St University
Frank Coyle is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe etc for the past 18 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game.