The Maxwell Award has held a legacy since 1937, paying tribute to the legendary Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, who left a remarkable impact as a standout athlete at Swarthmore College and later gained fame as a distinguished sportswriter and football official. Since its inception, the award has been a symbol of excellence, honoring the College Player of the Year.
It was recently announced that John Rhys Plumlee has been added to the list of contenders for the prestigious award. The award is given out annually to the player the organization considers to be the most outstanding in the league
After a remarkable debut season with the Knights in 2022, Plumlee, recognized as a second-team American Athletic All-Conference selection, and three-time AAC Offensive Player of the Week, left a profound impact on the team's performance. He also amassed an impressive 2,586 passing yards, accompanied by 14 touchdown passes.
However, Plumlee's talent extended beyond passing; he showcased his incredible prowess as a rusher, leading all FBS quarterbacks with an outstanding 861 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. His rushing touchdown tally stands as the second-highest in UCF single-season history, just trailing Daunte Culpepper's record of 12 set back in 1998. Thanks to Plumlee's contributions, UCF secured a prominent rank, ninth nationally, in rushing statistics with an impressive average of 228.3 yards per game.
One of Plumlee's standout moments occurred during a thrilling match against Temple, where he demonstrated his exceptional skills. He achieved an impressive feat by completing 18 of 22 passes, setting a new career-high of 373 yards, and delivering four passing touchdowns. In addition to his remarkable passing performance, Plumlee showcased his versatility as a runner, recording seven carries for 37 yards and securing three more touchdowns on the ground. This outstanding performance tied a long-standing UCF record for touchdowns accounted for in a game, a record that had stood for 35 years.
As for the prestigious Maxwell Award, the semifinalists are set to be revealed on November 13th, with the anticipation building for the announcement of the three finalists on November 28th. Finally, the ultimate winners of the 87th Maxwell Award will be unveiled during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, scheduled for December 7th.
There is no denying Plumlee's incredible talent, and if he does walkaway with this award, it will be an even more impressive accomplishment than it would for most given that he is a multi-sport athlete, juggling both baseball and football.
