Two Alabama Players Named Maxwell Award Semifinalists

Alabama has had multiple players over the last several years nominated for the Maxwell Award, with five players winning the prestigious honor. The watchlist was narrowed down to 20 players on Tuesday, including Alabama's Bryce Young and Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Maxwell Award, like the Heisman Trophy, recognizes the best players in college football, as voted upon by sportswriters, sportscasters and former coaches.

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All five of Alabama's Maxwell Award winners have come in the last ten years, AJ McCarron (2013), Derrick Henry (2015), Tua Tagovailoa (2018), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Bryce Young (2021).

Mark Ingram is the only Alabama Heisman winner that did not win the Maxwell Award, losing to Colt McCoy in 2009. While Jameis Winston and Kyler Murray won the Heisman in 2013 and 2018, McCarron and Tagovailoa took home the Maxwell Award.

Young looks to become the first player to win the Maxwell Award in back-to-back years since Tim Tebow in 2007 and 2008. Despite missing a game, Young has 1,906 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.

Gibbs has shown his versatility this year, being a consistent threat as a runner and a pass catcher for Alabama. On 98 carries, he has rushed for 672 yards and six touchdowns, averaging nearly seven yards a carry. Gibbs ranks first in receptions on the Crimson Tide squad with 31 total and he has the third most receiving yards with 301.

With Smith and Young being the reigning award winners, Gibbs or Young would become the third Alabama player in a row to win.