Stone Named To Maxwell Award Watch List
PHILADELPHIA (SMU)- SMU redshirt junior Preston Stone was named to the preseason watch list for the 88th Maxwell Award in a release by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Stone is coming off a breakout campaign last year when he helped lead the Mustangs to their first conference championship since 1984. The Dallas native showcased his abilities all last season, throwing for career highs in yards (3,197) and touchdowns (28). His 90.9 passing grade last season by Pro Football Focus (PFF) led all American Athletic Conference (AAC) quarterbacks. He also ranked first in big-time throws (30) and fourth in passer rating (110.0).
The redshirt junior captained one of the best offenses in SMU history, with the 542 points scored ranking second highest in program history. The 38.7 scoring average was the eighth best in the country in 2023, while the 29 rushing touchdowns were third most in program history. The Mustangs scored at least 55 points four times in 2023, the most in program history for a single season. SMU’s offense also finished top five in program history in first downs (first), passing touchdowns (fifth), passing yards (fifth) and total yards (tied for first).
Stone’s passing efficiency rating of 161.3 last season ranks ninth highest for a returning quarterback in all of the FBS.
The Maxwell Award watch list will once again incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast, led by five returning semifinalists, Jalen Milroe – Alabama, Carson Beck – Georgia, Kaidon Salter – Liberty, Luther Burden III – Missouri and Ollie Gordon II – Oklahoma State. The full list consists of 80 players with Miami and Ohio State leading the way with three candidates each and an additional 15 schools having two players represented. The ACC boasts 20 candidates followed by the SEC (15), Big12 (15) and Big10 (12).
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts are members of our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 12, 2024, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled November 26, 2024. The winners of the 88th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 12, 2024. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday March 14, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
