The projected starting quarterbacks and running backs for KU and K-State were named to the Maxwell Award Watch List Monday, July 29, each representing one of 80 college football players listed as the best players in the nation.
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
QB Jalon Daniels:
KU’s star QB Jalon Daniels was named to the list for the second year in a row. The 2023 Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year played in only three games last season in a season shortened by a back injury. In those three games, Daniels threw for 705 yards (235 per game) and five touchdowns while completing 74.7% of his passes. The Lawndale, Calif. native also finished with 74 rushing yards.
RB Devin Neal:
The Lawrence native announced his return to KU for his senior year following his best season so far, earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors. Neal led all Kansas rushers with 1280 rushing yards (98.5 per game) and 16 TD’s last season, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. Neal fell just short of being named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team voted on by members of the media, but was named by Phil Steele & Athlon as a Preseason All-Big 12 and Preseason All-American honoree.
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
QB Avery Johnson:
The Maize High School alum from Wichita will enter his sophomore season with just two starts at QB under his belt, but he made the most of it in the Pop Tarts Bowl against NC State, naming him as the MVP of the game. Johnson did play in 7 games prior to their bowl game, earning big rushing numbers with a total of 7 TD’s, including 5 against Texas Tech. In their bowl game, Johnson threw 14/31 for 178 yards and 2 passing TD’s, plus 78 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
RB DJ Giddens:
The Junction City native also made the list following a season where he ran for 1226 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. The most notable game was against UCF, when he ran for 207 yards in 30 carries and scoring four touchdowns, earning him honors such as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week. According to his bio on the K-State Athletics website, he will enter his junior season ranked third in school history in rushing yards per carry (5.59) and 10th in rushing yards per game (64.6). He also is just 256 rushing yards away from being the 12th Wildcat in school history with over 2,000 career rushing yards.
The Jayhawks begin their season against Lindenwood at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. All KU football games will air on 94.7 KSKU & 99.3/1370 KIOL with their pregame coverage beginning 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
The Wildcats start their 2024 campaign at home against UT Martin Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. All K-State football games will air on 92.3/1510 KLQR with pregame coverage beginning two hours before kickoff.
