The award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.
PHILADELPHIA – Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.
The Gators top pass catcher from last year, Pearsall hauled in 33 catches for 661 yards and five touchdowns in his first season as a Gator in 2022. His 661 receiving yards were UF’s most since Kadarius Toney’s 984 in 2020. Additionally, Pearsall’s 20.0 yards per reception finished fourth in the FBS and were the third highest in a season in program history.
Proving to be one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country, 27 of the Chandler, Ariz. native’s 33 receptions went for first downs, while 28 were for double-digit yards. Also, Pearsall was one of six FBS wide receivers with 110-plus rushing yards and 650-plus receiving yards.
Pearsall is one of 15 wide receivers nationwide to make the 85-player list and one of four SEC wide receivers, joining LSU’s Malik Nabers, South Carolina’s Antwane Wells and Vanderbilt’s Will Sheppard.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 as Florida has had three award winners, including Tim Tebow back-to-back years (2008 & 2009).
Named honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at the Swarthmore College and a renowned sports writer and football official. This year will be the 87th anniversary of the award. This year’s semifinalist will be announced Nov. 13, with three finalists revealed Nov. 28 and the winner being announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 7.
The full watch list for the 2023 Maxwell Award can be found here<https://maxwellfootballclub.org/>.
Florida Football Maxwell Award History
Year
Name (Result)
1996
Danny Wuerffel (Winner)
2007
Tim Tebow (Winner)
2008
Tim Tebow (Winner)
2009
Tim Tebow (Finalist)
2012
Mike Gillislee (Semifinalist)
2020
Kyle Trask (Semifinalist)
2020
Kyle Pitts (Semifinalist)
