STANFORD, Calif. – Quarterback K.J. Costello and running back Bryce Love were named to the Maxwell Award watch list, while linebacker Bobby Okereke and cornerback Alijah Holder were selected to the Bednarik Award watch list on Monday.
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the college football player of the year. Last year, Love was a finalist alongside Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won the award. Andrew Luck (2011) and Jim Plunkett (1970) are the only Stanford players to win the Maxwell Award.
Love, who set the FBS record for 50-yard rushes (13) and finished second in the nation with a school record 2,118 rushing yards last season, was a unanimous All-American and won the Doak Walker and Lombardi awards in 2017. Costello started seven games for the Cardinal last year and finished with 1,573 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Bednarik Award has been given to the nation's top defensive player since 1995. Okereke was third on the team with 96 tackles last season and was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection, while Holder played eight games and totaled 26 tackles (17 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one interception and three pass breakups before suffering a season-ending injury.
Stanford begins the 2018 campaign on Aug. 31 against San Diego State. Kickoff at Stanford Stadium is set for 6 p.m. PT.
Preseason Honors
Bednarik Award watch list
Alijah Holder • Cornerback
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Maxwell Award watch list
K.J. Costello • Quarterback
Bryce Love • Running Back
Rimmington Trophy watch list
Jesse Burkett • Center
Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Dodd Trophy watch list
David Shaw • Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football
Sporting News Preseason All-America
First Team
Bryce Love • Running Back
Second Team
Nate Herbig • Offensive Line
Jake Bailey • Punter
Athlon Preseason All-America
First Team Offense
Bryce Love • Running Back
Second Team Offense
Nate Herbig • Offensive Line
Second Team Specialist
Jake Bailey • Punter
Third Team Offense
Kaden Smith • Tight End
Athlon Preseason All-Pac-12
First Team
Bryce Love • Running Back
JJ Arcega-Whiteside • Wide Receiver
Kaden Smith • Tight End
Nate Herbig • Offensive Line
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Cameron Scarlett • Kick Returner
Second Team
Walker Little • Offensive Line
Jet Toner • Kicker
Jake Bailey • Punter
Third Team
Jesse Burkett • Offensive Line
Fourth Team
Frank Buncom • Safety
