TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama running back Damien Harris and quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa have been named to the 2018 Maxwell Award Watch List announced today by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia.

Harris, Hurts and Tagovailoa are among 85 players from around the country named to the preseason list. Alabama student-athletes have won the award twice in the last five seasons. Record-setting running back and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry was the 2015 honoree, while quarterback AJ McCarron was the first student-athlete in program history to bring home the award, winning it in 2013.

The Tide’s top running back in each of the last two seasons, Harris has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and ranks No. 16 all-time at UA with 2,194 career yards. The Richmond, Ky., native has averaged 7.2 yards per carry in his last 281 rushing attempts, dating to the start of the 2016 season.

Hurts has compiled a 26-2 record in two seasons as the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide. The Houston, Texas, native already holds the Alabama career record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 21 and is second in UA career touchdown responsibility with 61 passing and rushing scores. He ranks No. 4 at Alabama with 40 career touchdown passes.

Tagovailoa capped his freshman season by earning Offensive Player of the Game honors for his second half performance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The Ewa Beach, Hawai’i, native threw for 636 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Tide’s back-up quarterback in 2017.

The Maxwell Award has been presented annually since 1937 by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia to recognize the top player in college football. The award is named in honor of former college player, official and sports columnist Robert Maxwell. The 2018 winner will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.

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