The race for college football’s top individual honors entered its final stretch Tuesday as Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert officially announced the semifinalists for the 90th Maxwell Award and the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award.
Selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee, both award rosters feature a elite group of 18 candidates. The Maxwell Award, presented annually to the Collegiate Player of the Year, is heavily dominated by signal-callers, while the Bednarik Award roster highlights defense-first playmakers from across the national landscape.
SEC Dominates Selection Rosters
The Southeastern Conference showcased its top-to-bottom depth, anchoring both lists. Five SEC stars made the Maxwell cut, while the conference placed a impressive seven defensive standouts on the Bednarik list.
The offensive field is heavily slanted toward passers, with 12 quarterbacks, 3 running backs, and 3 wide receivers securing spots. Beyond the SEC’s five representatives, the Big 12 and ACC captured four Maxwell spots apiece. On defense, new premier talents took center stage; five conferences and one independent are represented, led by the SEC’s seven contenders and five from the Big Ten.
Timeline to the Trophy
The selection process moves quickly as national award season ramps up over the coming weeks:
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November 24, 2026: Three finalists for each award will be officially revealed.
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December 11, 2026: The winners of both awards will be announced live during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
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March 13, 2027: Formal trophy presentations will take place at the 90th Maxwell Awards Gala at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
Voters for both honors include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors, and selected national media members. Selection committee partner Phil Steele Publications — publisher of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview — assisted in finalizing the candidate pools. Tickets for the March gala in Atlanta are currently available on the Maxwell Football Club’s official website.
