PHILADELPHIA – Texas A&M football standouts Trevor Knight and Myles Garrett were named semifinalists for the Maxwell Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award, respectively, Maxwell Football Club President Ron Jaworski announced on Monday.
The Maxwell Award is given annually to college football's Player of the Year, while the Bednarik Award is presented to the Defensive Player of the Year.
Knight, a graduate transfer from San Antonio, Texas via the University of Oklahoma, is one of five FBS quarterbacks with more than 500 rushing yards and 1,500 passing yards to their credit. Knight currently ranks No. 2 in the SEC in total offense with a 299.6 per game average and he rushed for 529 yards and passed for 1,868 yards. Knight, who was named the Midseason National Offensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com is tied for the SEC lead with nine rushing touchdowns.
Garrett, a junior from Arlington, Texas, ranks among the SEC leaders in QB sacks and tackles for losses despite missing two games due to injury. Garrett has 4.0 QB sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss with seven QB hurries while always being the focal point of opposing offense's gameplan. Garrett was also named a Midseason All-American by Sports Illustrated, USA Today, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus, Sporting News and Bruce Feldman of FoxSports.com.
The Maxwell Award is given annually to college football's Player of the Year, while the Bednarik Award is presented to the Defensive Player of the Year.
Knight, a graduate transfer from San Antonio, Texas via the University of Oklahoma, is one of five FBS quarterbacks with more than 500 rushing yards and 1,500 passing yards to their credit. Knight currently ranks No. 2 in the SEC in total offense with a 299.6 per game average and he rushed for 529 yards and passed for 1,868 yards. Knight, who was named the Midseason National Offensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com is tied for the SEC lead with nine rushing touchdowns.
Garrett, a junior from Arlington, Texas, ranks among the SEC leaders in QB sacks and tackles for losses despite missing two games due to injury. Garrett has 4.0 QB sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss with seven QB hurries while always being the focal point of opposing offense's gameplan. Garrett was also named a Midseason All-American by Sports Illustrated, USA Today, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus, Sporting News and Bruce Feldman of FoxSports.com.
2016 Maxwell Award Semifinalists:
| First Name | Last Name | Position | School | Year |
| Jonathan | Allen | DE | Alabama | Senior |
| Jalen | Hurts | QB | Alabama | Freshman |
| Deshaun | Watson | QB | Clemson | Junior |
| Dalvin | Cook | RB | Florida State | Junior |
| Lamar | Jackson | QB | Louisville | Sophomore |
| Leonard | Fournette | RB | LSU | Junior |
| Jabrill | Peppers | ATH | Michigan | Sophomore |
| Mitch | Trubisky | QB | North Carolina | Junior |
| J.T. | Barrett | QB | Ohio State | Junior |
| Baker | Mayfield | QB | Oklahoma | Senior |
| Dede | Westbrook | WR | Oklahoma | Senior |
| Saquon | Barkley | RB | Penn State | Sophomore |
| Donnel | Pumphrey | RB | San Diego State | Senior |
| Christian | McCaffrey | RB | Stanford | Junior |
| Trevor | Knight | QB | Texas A&M | Senior |
| Patrick | Mahomes II | QB | Texas Tech | Junior |
| Jake | Browning | QB | Washington | Sophomore |
| Luke | Falk | QB | Washington State | Junior |
2016 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists:
| First Name | Last Name | Position | School | Year |
| Jonathan | Allen | DE | Alabama | Senior |
| Reuben | Foster | LB | Alabama | Senior |
| Carl | Lawson | DE | Auburn | Junior |
| Cordrea | Tankersley | CB | Clemson | Senior |
| Christian | Wilkins | DE | Clemson | Sophomore |
| Jarrad | Davis | LB | Florida | Senior |
| Desmond | King | CB | Iowa | Senior |
| Arden | Key | DE | LSU | Sophomore |
| Tre'Davious | White | CB | LSU | Senior |
| Jabrill | Peppers | LB | Michigan | Sophomore |
| Nate | Gerry | S | Nebraska | Senior |
| Ejuan | Price | DE | Pittsburgh | Senior |
| Solomon | Thomas | DE | Stanford | Junior |
| Derek | Barnett | DE | Tennessee | Junior |
| Myles | Garrett | DE | Texas A&M | Junior |
| Hunter | Dimick | DE | Utah | Senior |
| Zach | Cunningham | LB | Vanderbilt | Junior |
| Budda | Baker | S | Washington | Junior |