2023 MAC Preseason Watchlist Tracker

College football is around the corner, and nothing signifies that more than the release of preseason watchlists. Watchlist season officially launched July 31 and continues throughout the first half of August. From the Maxwell Award to the Davey O’Brien Award to the Nagurski Award to the Butkus Award, there is steady MAC representation throughout each watchlist.

Below we have documented a complete list of MAC players whose names adorn preseason watchlistsrecognized by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA)for 2023:

---

Maxwell Award

Release date: July 31

Who wins this award? “The Maxwell Award is presented to the best player in college football.”

MAC selections:

• Alex Adams, WR, Akron (Jr.)
• Marquez Cooper, RB, Ball State (Jr.)
• Samson Evans, RB, Eastern Michigan (Sr.)
• Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio (Sr.)
• Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo (Jr.)

Full list

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

---

Outland Trophy

Release date: August 1

Who wins this award? “Presented to the nation’s best interior lineman... Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.”

MAC selections:

• Ethan Crowe, C, Ball State (Jr.)
• Nolan Potter, OT, Northern Illinois (Sr.)
• Deiyantei Powell-Woods, OT, Central Michigan (Sr.)
• Nick Rosi, OT, Toledo (Jr.)
• Daymond Williams, DT, Buffalo (Sr.)

Full list

Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

---

Nagurski Trophy

Release date: August 1

Who wins this award? “Created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.”

MAC selections:

• Shaun Dolac, ILB, Buffalo (Sr.)
• Marcus Fuqua, FS, Buffalo (Sr.)
• Maxen Hook, SS, Toledo (Jr.)
• Donte Kent, CB, Central Michigan (Jr.)
• Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (Jr.)
• Devonte O’Malley, DT, Northern Illinois (Jr.)

Full list

David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

---

Total Appearances

By player:

• Alex Adams, WR, Akron (Jr.) — 1
• Marquez Cooper, RB, Ball State (Jr.) — 1
• Ethan Crowe, C, Ball State (Jr.) — 1
• Shaun Dolac, ILB, Buffalo (Sr.) — 1
• Samson Evans, RB, Eastern Michigan (Sr.) — 1
• Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo (Jr.) — 1
• Marcus Fuqua, FS, Buffalo (Sr.) — 1
• Maxen Hook, SS, Toledo (Jr.) — 1
• Donte Kent, CB, Central Michigan (Jr.) — 1
• Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (Jr.) — 1
• Devonte O’Malley, DT, Northern Illinois (Jr.) — 1
• Nolan Potter, OT, Northern Illinois (Sr.) — 1
• Deiyantei Powell-Woods, OT, Central Michigan (Sr.)
• Nick Rosi, OT, Toledo (Jr.) — 1
• Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio (Sr.) — 1
• Daymond Williams, DT, Buffalo (Sr.) — 1

By school:

• Toledo — 4
• Buffalo — 3
• Ball State — 2
• Central Michigan — 2
• Northern Illinois — 2
• Akron — 1
• Eastern Michigan — 1
• Ohio — 1

---

The winners of the aforementioned awards will be announced in November and December. Appearing on a preseason watchlist is not a prerequisite for winning an award.