The Maxwell Award has announced its 2025 watch list. The award, presented annually to the best all-around college football player in the nation, could go to anyone from the massive number of early candidates. A list of 80 preseason candidates was released, but even a thorough list has left out plenty of players.
For one thing, the list includes only quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. There’s no explicit prohibition on players at other positions getting the award. In fact, the last non-QB, RB, or WR to win was Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o in 2012, ending a 31-year run of QB, WR, or RB winners.
Even within those position groups (QB, WR, and RB), there are some outstanding prospects the Maxwell Award committee has overlooked. Here are five.
5 Stars Snubbed on Maxwell Award Watch List for 2025
Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
Rivers might sneak up on people as a transfer, but a season ago, the 5’11” wideout had 1,172 yards and was a first-team All-CUSA pick at Florida International. Having joined Haynes King at Tech, Rivers seemed prime for an explosion. Bringing together Rivers and Malik Rutherford will give Tech a pair of excellent pass catchers. After solid outings in the last two years, Tech could make a move.
If Tech can fight its way to the top of the ACC (which looks wide open), Rivers could well end up a big-time Maxwell Award candidate.
Aaron Anderson, WR, LSU
Anderson stands just 5’8″, but size aside, he’s a big-time contributor at one of the nation’s most imposing offensive programs. A season ago, Anderson caught a team-best 61 passes for 884 yards and five touchdowns. With Garrett Nussmeier back for another season with the Tigers, Anderson could well top 70 catches and 1,000 yards in 2025. Nussmeier and running back Caden Durham got Maxwell nods, but not Anderson. May be a mistake.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The 6’4″ Boston could be ready to explode this season for the Huskies. IN UW’s inaugural Big Ten campaign, Boston had 63 catches for 834 yards and a team-best nine touchdown grabs. Coach Jedd Fisch’s second team may lean on the pass more heavily than they did a year ago, with multi-faceted Demond Williams taking over for pocket-heavy Will Rogers.
The day is FINALLY here 🏈
Check out the 2025 #MaxwellFootball Watchlist!!! 👀 #MaxwellFootball
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— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 28, 2025
Boston’s size and big-play explosiveness mean that if Washington can surprise with a competitive Big Ten season, he could easily climb into the top echelons of Maxwell Award contention. He’s a big-time playmaker who may seem like a silly omission later in the season.
Jamarion Miller, RB, Alabama
An outstanding runner, the 5’10” bowling ball of a running back ran for 668 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. Miller was the second-leading rusher on the Alabama team behind QB Jalen Milroe. A year ago, Miller started strong, but wore down late in the season. With a potential 1,000-yard season ahead, he could be a sleeping giant for Maxwell Award consideration, particularly with Milroe gone to the NFL.
James Peoples, RB, Ohio State
Sure, Peoples has humble numbers from his true freshman season in 2024. With just 197 rushing yards and two touchdowns, his Maxwell candidacy may not jump out at casual fans. But after a season of sitting behind Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, Peoples will be ready to assume the mantle as the top OSU back in 2025.
Ohio State has averaged five yards per carry or better in five of its last six seasons. Last season’s 166 rushing yards per game could improve this season, with Will Howard off to the NFL. Peoples might not have the flash of Jeremiah Smith as a Maxwell Award candidate, but he’s definitely not a guy to overlook.
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