The National College Football Awards Association began its two-week rollout of preseason watch lists on Monday, and the first two watch lists include a total of three Buckeyes.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins are among the preseason nominees for the Maxwell Award, which honors college football's most outstanding player, while defensive end Chase Young is among the preseason nominees for the Bednarik Award, which honors college football's best defensive player.
The 2019 Maxwell Award and Bednarik Award Watch Lists have been released! Who do you think is the favorite to win this year? https://t.co/fbGWG2VjY3 pic.twitter.com/0CV5dFv54N
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 15, 2019
Fields makes the Maxwell watch list even though he has yet to start a college football game, as he is expected to be Ohio State's starting quarterback this year and offers the potential to be one of college football's best quarterbacks – which could make him a real candidate for college football's top individual awards.
Dobbins, the only running back in Ohio State history to rush for more than 1,000 yards as both a freshman and a sophomore, makes the Maxwell watch list for the second year in a row.
Young is coming off a breakout sophomore season for the Buckeyes, in which he recorded 15.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, and he's expected to be one of the best pass-rushers in college football this year.