Ohio State Offensive Duo Make Maxwell Award Watchlist
How well regarded is the Ohio State Buckeyes receiving core from a national media perspective heading into the beginning of fall camp in Columbus?
Look no further than the recent unveiling of the Maxwell Award watchlist, which named 82 college football players on Monday as potential candidates to win the title of "best player" in the sport. Ohio State had two Buckeyes on the list, both of whom were receivers, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.
As stated on the website, the Maxwell Award is "presented to the best player in college football" and is named after Robert Maxwell, a former football player at Swarthmore. What's the difference between the Maxwell and the often-talked-about Heisman Trophy? Well, the Maxwell is looking for the "best" all-around player, while the Heisman is looking for the "most outstanding."
It is a very technical difference, but it hasn't stopped them from being awarded to the same playerThehe last four winners of the Maxwell have also won the Heisman, with Alabama's DeVonta Smith being just the third receiver to win both.
Seeing Harrison and Egbuka named to the watchlist is no surprise considering they are already garnering attention from NFL Draft analysts before their junior seasons even kick-off, with some even going as far as to name Harrison as a Heisman candidate.
Both are coming off a strong debut season for the Buckeyes in regards to being the new one-two punch in the passing game. Following the departure of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson to the NFL as first-round draft picks, Harrison and Egbuka picked up the baton and ran with it.
The then-sophomore duo both recorded over 1,000 yards receiving, which combined for 2,414 yards and 24 touchdowns on 151 receptions. Compare that to where Olave and Wilson left off with 1,994 yards and 25 touchdowns on 135 receptions combined, and it looks like the Buckeyes' passing game never truly missed a beat.
Even with a new quarterback under center after C.J. Stroud's departure, the Ohio State offense will run through its dynamic receivers.
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