Five players from the American Athletic Conference were among the 80 student-athletes named to the 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List.

The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. 

This year’s preseason watch list includes six returning semifinalists from the 2020 season, two from The American – Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder and UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

SMU is one of 14 schools to have two players on the watch list as running bavk Ulysses Bentley IV and wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr. were both named.

Memphis wide receiver Calivn Austin III makes his first appearance on the watch list as well.

COURTESY THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE