Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins are on the watch list for the 2026 Maxwell Award, announced Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.
The watch list for the honor, presented annually to the outstanding player in college football, includes 81 players from across the FBS. Oklahoma State is one of just 16 teams with multiple players on the list.
Mestemaker and Hawkins, who both transferred to Oklahoma State from North Texas following the 2025 season, lit up the stat sheet last year and are expected to make big contributions to the Cowboys in 2026.
Mestemaker’s 2025 season accolades include the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s best walk-on, the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, FWAA Freshman All-America honors and being named a finalist for the Manning Award and Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
He finished the season as the NCAA FBS statistical champion in passing yards (4,379), passing yards per game (312.8), total offense (4,468) and yards per pass attempt (9.46). He also ranked No. 2 in passing touchdowns (34), No. 3 in points responsible for (240), No. 4 in passing efficiency (168.7), No. 4 in total offense per game (319.1), No. 7 in yards per completion (13.73), No. 7 in points responsible for per game (17.1), No. 10 in completions per game (22.79) and No. 14 in completion percentage (68.9). He led the nation in completions of at least 10 yards (168), 20 yards (67), 50 yards (11), 60 yards (8) and 70 yards (5).
Hawkins finished the 2025 season as a Walter Camp, Sporting News and Phil Steele All-America selection after setting the NCAA record for most touchdowns scored by a freshman with 29 total. His 29 total touchdowns and 25 rushing touchdowns also ranked No. 1 in the FBS for the season, as did his 174 points scored and 13.4 points per game. Other accolades included being named the American Conference Rookie of the Year and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award.
The Maxwell Football Club partnered with Phil Steele Publications for selection of the preseason watch list. Semifinalists for the award will be announced November 10 and finalists will be named November 24. The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10 and the formal presentation will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
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