Trio of Buckeyes offensive stars named to Maxwell Award watch list

COLUMBUS — The offensive skill talent assembled at Ohio State is already being recognized, and the games don’t start for another two months.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, top wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson are all being listed on preseason watch lists and All-American teams, and Monday was a big one. All three were named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the top player in all of college football.

Stroud missed out on being a finalist for the award a season ago, although he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Smith-Njigba wasn’t considered for the award, but that changes this offseason after a 1,606-yard year last fall for the Buckeyes. Henderson enters Year Two as the Buckeyes starting running back.

The scary part for opposing defenses? The trio just keeps getting better this offseason. It all starts with Stroud.

“C.J. has been very consistent. He’s very competitive,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said about after the spring game. “… I think he’s had a very, very good spring. And he even wanted to get back in there in the last drive, because he wanted to get out there and play. And that’s just the way he is. He’s one of the more competitive guys I have been around.”

Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, was so terrorizing for opposing defenses last fall due to his versatility as a receiving threat. He can line up anywhere, and he prides himself on doing a little bit of everything.

“[Versatility] is very valuable,” Smith-Njigba said of the Ohio State receivers. “And just like last year, we can bring in great guys who are going to be right next to me. So, really if you want to key in on me, you still have to deal with with other guys. It feels good that I’m not just the only threat out there. Like, when we’re in practice, we can see the vision.

“… We can all showcase our talents in different ways being on the outside or inside or wherever they ask.”

Now with plenty of recognition as the best quarterback-running back-receiver trio in the country, they’re gaining attention on preseason watch lists. The Maxwell Award is the first of the lists to include all three players. Don’t expect it to be the last.