It's time for the college football preseason watchlists to start to roll out, and first up was none other than the Maxwell Award.
Every year, the award is given to the college football player who is viewed by members of the media, head coaches, and the Maxwell Football Club as the greatest all-around athlete in the sport.
On this year's Maxwell Award preseason watchlist, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning and wide receiver Cam Coleman were front and center.
Also read: The connection between Arch Manning and a new Texas WR is already paying dividends
Of course, as two of the highest-rated offensive players in the sport, it came as no surprise when Manning and Coleman's names cropped up on the list. However, there's an extra edge of motivation for the Horns' quarterback to ensure his name is the only one on the award list at the end of the year.
Winning the Maxwell Award is part of the Manning family name
If Manning were to find himself with the Maxwell Award in his hands when all is said and done, he would be far from the first person with his last name to lift the trophy.
While his grandfather and namesake, Archie Manning, didn't win the Maxwell Award, both of his uncles did during their college careers. In 1997, Peyton Manning secured the Maxwell Award during his final season for the Tennessee Volunteers. Six years later (2003), Eli Manning did the same during his final season with the Ole Miss Rebels.
Furthermore, Manning would become the fifth Longhorn to win the Maxwell Trophy in program history, joining Longhorn Legends Tommy Nobis (1965), Ricky Williams (1998), Vince Young (2005), and Colt McCoy (2009).
No, family history or even program success when it comes to a certain award by no means guarantees that you yourself will also be able to bring that trophy home during your career. However, winning the Maxwell Award certainly seems to run in the family for Manning.
Read more: The pressure isn't different, but Arch Manning is shouldering it differently
This year, the preseason watchlist included 81 college football players who are already expected to be some of the best players in the sport. Last year, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Maxwell Award before leading his team to its National Championship victory.
Of course, as preseason award watchlists continue to roll out, Manning will undoubtedly find himself vying for more trophies and honors, currently the second-favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season.
So far in his career, being just one season into the starting role for Texas, Manning has yet to bring home any end-of-season awards. However, after the growth that the Longhorns saw in their QB1 last season, it can only be up from here, and even last season ended with Manning being named the MVP of Texas's Citrus Bowl win over Michigan.
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