The Maxwell Football Club released a 90-player watch list on Tuesday, giving college football fans an idea of who to look out for when the season begins in September.
UNC junior tailback Elijah Hood was among the names on the list–which is for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the best player in America since 1937.
Although the award is similar in nature to the Heisman Trophy, only four players–Derrick Henry, Marcus Mariota, Cam Newton and Tim Tebow–have earned both honors in the same year.
Hood appears poised for greatness in 2016, following a breakout season for head coach Larry Fedora in 2015 that ranks among the best in Tar Heel history.
The former Eagle Scout and ESPN Top 100 recruit from Charlotte ran for 1,463 yards on just 219 carries last season–using a bruising style that mauls through would-be tacklers.
It was the second-most prolific rushing season UNC has ever had, topped only by Don McCauley’s 1,720-yard campaign in 1970.
His 17 touchdowns and 6.7 yards per carry each ranked second in the ACC, with his yards per carry average also ranking second in the school record book (Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice averaged 7.2 in 1946.)
In all, 15 players from the ACC–including seven running backs–were also named to the Maxwell watch list.
Joining Hood as runners are: Dalvin Cook (Florida State), James Conner (Pittsburgh), Wayne Gallman (Clemson), Travon McMillian (Virginia Tech), Joseph Yearby (Miami) and Matt Dayes (NC State).
The Tar Heels open their season in Atlanta on Sept. 3 against Georgia as part of the Chick-Fil-A College Kickoff Game.
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