The 2026 Maxwell Award Watch List
The Maxwell Football Club, a Philadelphia‑based organization that has celebrated the top college football player since 1937, released its preseason watch list this week, featuring 81 standout athletes from across the nation. Among them is Alabama’s junior wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, whose name appears alongside the nation’s most promising talents as the sport gears up for another compelling campaign.
The Maxwell Award’s timeline is steeped in tradition: semifinalists will be revealed on November 10, and the three finalists will be unveiled on November 24. The culmination of the award ceremony will take place on December 10 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, where the 90th Maxwell Award winner will be announced.
Alabama’s Maxwell Award Legacy
Alabama’s program boasts five Maxwell Award recipients in its history, all earned since 2013. The list includes recent stars such as Bryce Young (2021), DeVonta Smith (2020), and Tua Tagovailoa (2018), as well as Derrick Henry (2015) and AJ McCarron (2013). Their achievements have reinforced the Crimson Tide’s reputation as a breeding ground for award‑winning talent.
Coleman-Williams arrived in Tuscaloosa as a true freshman in 2024, quickly making his mark with eight receiving touchdowns and 865 total yards, earning both All‑America and All‑Southeastern Conference honors. In his sophomore season, he tallied 49 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns, complemented by two rushing yards and a pair of punt returns that added 25 yards across 14 games, including 12 starts.
The junior’s trajectory suggests he is poised to continue his ascent among the nation’s elite receivers. His blend of size, route precision, and playmaking ability has positioned him as a key offensive weapon for Alabama, and his inclusion on the Maxwell Award watch list underscores the high expectations placed on his shoulders as the team looks to contend for a championship.