Manning, Wisner named to Maxwell Award watch list

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the second consecutive season, the Texas Longhorns have two players on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list.

The Maxwell Football Club named sophomore quarterback Arch Manning and junior running back Quintrevion Wisner to the list. The club has given the award to the college football player of the year since 1937.

Does the honor mean much, in the long run? Not really, but it’s a nice honor, especially for Wisner, who is the only returning running back in the SEC to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season. Wisner ran for 1,064 yards with five touchdowns and caught 44 passes for 411 yards with a score.

For Manning, it’s about his potential since he’s only played 12 games and started two. In a small sample size, Manning was efficient, completing 61 of 91 pass attempts for 939 yards and nine touchdowns. He was tabbed a preseason all-SEC third team quarterback in a vote by media members who cover the conference.

The duo are among 80 players on the preseason watch list. The club whittles down the list to semifinalists on Nov. 11 and announces the finalists Nov. 25. The winner is announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 11, and the club will formally honor the winner at its awards show on March 13, 2026.