July 1, 2008

Rice senior wide receiver Jarett Dillard, who enters his final season as the NCAA active career leader in all receiving categories, has been named to the Watch List for the 72nd Maxwell Award. The list is comprised of seventy-five players who were selected based on their performance during the 2007 season.

The Maxwell Award has been presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell.

Dillard leads all active receivers with 205 receptions, 2,828 yards and 40 touchdowns. His 40 touchdowns rank seventh on the NCAA career list and he is 10 shy of the NCAA career record of 50, set by Troy Edwards of Louisiana Tech. Dillard and Rice quarterback Chase Clement have combined for 32 touchdown passes, six shy of the NCAA mark for a passing duo. Edwards and Tim Rattay of Louisiana Tech share the record of 38 career touchdown passes with Colt Brennan and Davone Bess of Hawa'ii.

Tim Tebow of the University of Florida was the recipient of the 71st Maxwell Award for his oustanding performance during the 20076 season. Tebow, the first sophomore to ever win the Maxwell Award, returns for his junior season with the Gators.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced in early November and three finalists for the award will be announced November 25th. The winner of the 2008 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December. The formal presentation will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Harrah's Entertainment Atlantic City on March 6, 2009.

The watch list candidates have been chosen by the Maxwell Football Club's Selection Committee and the Maxwell Club reserves the right to make additions and subtractions to these lists as the 2008 season unfolds. All members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA Sports Information Directors, Head Coaches and selected national media are eligible to vote for these awards.