Preston Stone named to Maxwell Award watch list

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

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.