Bentley IV, Roberson Jr. Named To Maxwell Award Watch List

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Bentley IV, Roberson Jr. Named To Maxwell Award Watch List

PHILADELPHIA (MFC/SMU) – Ulysses Bentley IV and Reggie Roberson, Jr., were named to this season's Maxwell Award Watch List as announced on Monday. The award is presented annually to the outstanding player in college football.

The 85th Maxwell Award powered by Mammoth Tech recognized 80 players on its preseason edition, and SMU is one of only 14 schools with two student-athletes represented. The Mustangs also had two players on the list in 2020, with Shane Buechele joining Roberson, Jr., on the list.

After a standout 2020 season that saw Bentley IV earn Freshman All-America honors from the FWAA and Rookie of the Year honors from the American Athletic Conference, he returns as the top running back in the league.

In 10 games, Bentley IV led The American with 913 rushing yards (18th NCAA) and 11 rushing touchdowns (17th NCAA). The 11 TDs set the SMU freshman single-season record, and his 12 total TDs made him one of only two freshmen in the country with 10+ TDs.

The Houston, Texas, native also led the Mustangs with 1,087 all-purpose yards (4th AAC), which included 174 receiving yards.

Bentley IV has also earned preseason recognition from Athlon Sports, Dave Campbell's Texas Football, Phil Steele Magazine, College Football News and Pro Football Focus. This is his first selection to the Maxwell Award Watch List after being recognized on Doak Walker Award and CFPA Watch Lists in 2020.

This is the second consecutive season for Roberson, Jr., on the list. He was also a member of Biletnikoff and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch Lists in 2020. This season, he has been recognized as the best receiver in Texas by Dave Campbell's and on preseason all-conference teams for Athlon Sports and Pro Football Focus.

Roberson, Jr., started all four games he played in last season before suffering a season-ending injury. He registered 22 catches for 474 yards and team-leading five receiving touchdowns. In the game against No. 25 Memphis, he had a season-high 243 receiving yards off five receptions with two TDs.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 1, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 22. The winner of the 2021 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala on March 11, 2022.

Complete Watch List Calendar
Mon., July 19: Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award – Bentley IV/Roberson Jr. (Maxwell)
Tue., July 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Wed., July 21: Doak Walker Award
Thu., July 22: Biletnikoff Award
Fri., July 23: John Mackey Award, Rimington Trophy

Mon., July 26: Butkus Award, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Tue., July 27: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy
Wed., July 28: Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award
Thu., July 29: Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., July 30: Walter Camp Award

[PonyTales]

Bentley will make the Doak Walker Award list, too.

Could Mordecai out Stone make the QB award lists before throwing a pass for SMU? Doubt it.