Notre Dame star named to Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List in hopes of reversing more than a decade long drought 

The Maxwell Award is historically given to the top overall player in College Football. Past winners of the award include Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, Bryce Young, and Caleb Williams. Outside of the Heisman Trophy, this is the biggest honor given each and every year on the college level. 

When it comes to Notre Dame football, they have had six winners of the Maxwell Award in their history. That includes quarterback Brady Quinn back in 2006, and Manti Te’o in 2012. Before Quinn, the Fighting Irish had a drought since 1977, when defensive end Ross Browner brought home the honor. 

The preseason watchlist was released for the Maxwell Award this week, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was the lone Irish player on the list. That isn’t much of a surprise based on the 2024 season that Love just put together as a sophomore. During that campaign, Love managed to rush for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also collecting 28 receptions for another 237 yards and two scores as a receiver. 

Heading into the 2025 season, most project Love to be the best running back in the entire country. Love is also viewed as a pretty strong Heisman candidate as well, even though that award is largely skewed toward quarterbacks. The flare, raw talent, and production all make Love a player with a ton of hype this preseason. 

Of the 80 players that were a part of the list, 47 of them were quarterbacks. That speaks to the nature of the award, also driven by the top position in all of football. We have seen, however, more of a mix of positions compared to the Heisman. That gives someone like Love a legitimate chance to bring home the hardware. 

For the first time since 2012, it feels like Notre Dame has a player who can legitimately argue he’s the best player in college football. The Fighting Irish haven’t had an athlete like Love in a very long time at the running back position. The 6-0, 214-pound playmaker is an outstanding combination of long speed, power, playmaking talent, and receiving upside. 

Can Love end the 13-year drought for a Notre Dame player to win the honor? There is obviously some early optimism that he can.