9 College Football Players in Texas Named to Maxwell Watchlist

ROCKWALL, Texas (TXAN 24) — Nine standout players from Texas colleges have earned a spot on the 2026 Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, recognizing the nation’s top college football player ahead of the upcoming season.

The Texas representatives include:

Arch Manning, QB – Texas

Cam Coleman, WR – Texas

Marcel Reed, QB – Texas A&M

Mario Craver, WR – Texas A&M

DJ Lagway, QB – Baylor

Conner Weigman, QB – Houston

Kevin Jennings, QB – SMU

Owen McCown, QB – UTSA

Cameron Dickey, RB – Texas Tech

The Maxwell Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club, honors the most outstanding player in college football. The preseason watch list highlights many of the nation’s top returning stars and rising talents entering the 2026 campaign. Players can be added or removed from consideration throughout the season before semifinalists and finalists are announced.

Texas is well represented across multiple conferences, with the SEC, Big 12, ACC and American Athletic Conference all featuring at least one Texas-based program on the watch list.