Football Sun Belt Conference

A-State’s Merritt, Troy's Smith, App State’s Evans, Thomas on Maxwell Award Watch List

NEW ORLEANS – Appalachian State’s Darrynton Evans and Zac Thomas along with Arkansas State’s Kirk Merritt and Troy’s B.J. Smith all earned a spot on the 2019 watch list for the Maxwell Award announced Monday afternoon by the Maxwell Football Club.
 
The Sun Belt's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Thomas completed his first season as an App State starter with 2,039 passing yards, 504 rushing yards and a combined 31 touchdowns (21 through the air).
 
Evans rushed for a league-leading 1,187 yards last season even though he didn't become App State's primary back until Game 5, and his nine touchdowns included a 100-yard kickoff return against Penn State. He averaged 6.6 yards per rush and totaled 1,764 all-purpose yards.
 
Merritt put together one of the best seasons ever by an A-State wide receiver last year, recording 83 receptions for 1,005 yards that were both the third most in school history.  He averaged 6.4 receptions per game to rank 20th in the nation, while his total receiving yards ranked 35th.
 
Smith was named to the All-Sun Belt First Team last season when he led the Sun Belt in rushing yards following the regular season and finished one yard behind the league leader for the season.  He ranked second in the league in rushing touchdowns (first among running backs).
 
The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.
 
The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football.  Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935.
 
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced October 29, 2019, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 25, 2019. The winner of the 2019 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 12, 2019.