College football’s awards season began Thursday. Several awards were presented. Some of the most notable include Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who won the Maxwell Award, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who won the Chuck Bednarik Award, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who took home the Davey O’Brien Award.

The biggest award yet to be awarded is the Heisman Trophy, which will be presented Saturday evening in New York City. The favorites for the award are Hunter and Jeanty, but Ward and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel are also among the finalists.

Since the Maxwell Award, given each year to college football’s most outstanding player, goes to Jeanty, it’s questionable whether that gives him a better chance of winning the Heisman.

The Sporting News explains what exactly the Maxwell Award is, who it has gone to in the past and how previous Heisman winners have fared.

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What is the Maxwell Award?

The Maxwell Award has existed since 1937. The award is given each year to college football’s most outstanding player and is a tribute to Robert “Tiny” Maxwell.

Maxwell played college football at the University of Chicago and Swarthmore College in the early 1900s. He also played football professionally in the Ohio League before becoming a coach, referee and sportscaster.

Here’s more from the Maxwell Award website:

Robert “Tiny” Maxwell was known for his compelling writing and comprehensive football coverage, which brought the sport closer to its fans and increased its visibility. His dedication to the game and his unique ability to put the essence into words left a lasting impression on players and spectators. The Maxwell Award serves as a tribute to his legacy by recognizing players who embody the skill, sportsmanship and dedication that Maxwell valued.

MORE: How Ashton Jeanty can join the list of rare running back winners of the 2000s

Difference between Maxwell and Heisman

There are some key differences between the Maxwell Award and the Heisman Trophy. Although both awards go to the player deemed “Most Outstanding,” the choice of awards is a little different.

Unlike the Maxwell Award, which is voted on by NCAA head coaches, sports information directors, media members and members of the Maxwell Football Club, the Heisman Trophy is voted on by 870 media members, including every former Heisman winner (57 people) and a fan.

Although the winner of the Maxwell usually takes home the Heisman, this is not the case every season.

MORE: Why Ashton Jeanty should win the Heisman Trophy over Travis Hunter

Maxwell Award winners who didn’t win the Heisman

There have been outlier years when it comes to players winning the Maxwell but not the Heisman. Players taking home both awards in the same year appears to be a recent trend.

2023 was the most recent exception, when Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. won the Maxwell and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman. Daniels came in first with 503 votes, compared to 292 for Penix.

In 2018, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa won the Maxwell and Oklahoma signal-caller Kyler Murray won the Heisman.

Here are some of the other recent examples of players who won the Maxwell but not the Heisman:

• 2013: Alabama QB AJ McCarron won the Maxwell; Florida State QB Jameis Winston won the Heisman
• 2012: Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o won the Maxwell; Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman
• 2011: Stanford QB Andrew Luck won the Maxwell; Baylor QB Robert Griffin III won the Heisman
• 2009: Texas QB Colt McCoy won the Maxwell; RB Mark Ingram won the Heisman
• 2008: Florida QB Tim Tebow won the Maxwell in 2007 and 2008. He won the Heisman in 2007, but QB Sam Bradford won the Heisman in 2008.
• 2006: Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn won the Maxwell; Ohio State WR Troy Smith won the Heisman
• 2004: Oklahoma QB Jason White won the Maxwell; USC QB Matt Leinart won the Heisman

While Jeanty’s win at Maxwell makes it seem like the Heisman is leaning toward him rather than Hunter, no one has a crystal ball. Hunter is still the betting favorite to win the award due to his impressive two-way skills.

Jeanty and Hunter are more than worthy of winning both the Heisman and Maxwell Awards. While there will likely be some debate for both players depending on who wins the Heisman, we can all look forward to seeing both guys play outstanding football all season long.

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