One year after Michigan State football running back Kenneth Walker III finished as one of three finalists for the Maxwell Award, two Spartans and one Wolverine were named to the preseason watch list.
The Maxwell Award, given annually to “the most outstanding player in college football” since 1937, announced its watch list Monday which included MSU quarterback Payton Thorne, wide receiver Jayden Reed and Michigan running back Blake Corum.
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Thorne set a school single-season record in his first year as a starter with 27 touchdown passes in 2021, finishing third in total offense (3,414 yards), third in passing yards (3,233) and sixth in passing efficiency (148.1 rating).
Thorne, completed 60.3% of his passes (234-for-388) in his redshirt sophomore season, and was an honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team by both coaches and media.
His favorite target, Reed, was also named to the watch list after forgoing the NFL draft to come back for a senior season.
Reed had a huge 2021 season and was one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award — the nation’s most versatile player.
Reed led MSU in receptions (59), receiving yards (1,026) and touchdowns (10), while pacing the Big Ten in yards per punt return (19.8) and tied for the nation’s lead with two punt return touchdowns.
Nearly every time Reed touched the ball, something positive happened, with 42 of his 59 catches resulting in either a first down or a touchdown as his 18 yards per touch was tops in the Big Ten and tied for seventh best in the FBS.
Brad Van Pelt is the only Spartan to win the Maxwell Award, when he became the first defensive back to receive home the honor in 1972. Walker was not named to the preseason list in 2021.
Corum, a junior, is expected to have a breakout season…