Maxwell Award Watch List features single Notre Dame football star

It probably shouldn’t be a total surprise, but now that the Maxwell Award Watch List is out there, it’s a bit of an eyebrow raiser that there is currently just one Notre Dame football player among the 80-name list.

That Riley Leonard is the name that is representing the Irish isn’t a total shock. Though the argument can be made that there really isn’t anyone on the team with the resume of Leonard, it’s also worth pointing out that even he, is a big question mark heading into 2024. 

Leonard has long been thought of as the most obvious “no brainer” guy on the team to have a breakout season. But when you have a quarterback who is considered the odds on favorite to be one of the best players in the sport, it’s interesting that neither Kris Mitchell or Beaux Collins of Jordan Faison aren’t also on that watch list.

Riley Leonard stands out as only member of Notre Dame football on Maxwell Award Watch List

Granted, the Notre Dame football team isn’t the only program that only got one player on the list. Irish opponent Florida State only has one. He’s also a transfer quarterback in DJ Uiagalelei.

Leonard will do battle against another player on the list as Texas A&M’s presumed starting quarterback Connor Weigman is on there as well. As is USC QB MIller Moss.

It’s worth pointing out that when a team does have two players on the list, it’s almost always a quarterback and a wide receiver. Perhaps it’s just a situation where no one on Notre Dame has made it clear who will step up.

However, tight end Mitchell Evans seems like someone who would have made an interesting addition to the Maxwell Watch List. 

It’s also worth pointing out that the watch list can change. Should one of Notre Dame football’s receivers get off to a very good start, they could find their way onto the list after the start of the season.