SMU QB Kevin Jennings named to Maxwell Award Watch List
On Monday, SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented to the most outstanding player in college football by the Maxwell Football Club.
This is the 89th Maxwell Award, which has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937. It is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Jennings is coming off a successful season leading the Mustangs to their first appearance in the College Football Playoffs in 2024. In SMU’s inaugural season in the ACC, the junior helped the program earn a mark of 11-3 with a perfect 8-0 conference record.
The former South Oak Cliff High standout returns to SMU as one of the nation’s top signal callers entering 2025. Jennings’ dynamic playmaking was unveiled last season, but he’s still staying level-headed.
“I just remember where I came from. At one point I was known as a nobody, just out there playing. Now I’m working my way up. It’s honestly a blessing,” Jennings said last week. “I just try to stay levelheaded, just have my teammates check me if I ever get too cocky or whatever, have my family check me and all that stuff. I just try to stay levelheaded all the time.”
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The Maxwell Award watch list is led by two returning semifinalists, Cade Klubnik – Clemson and Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt. The full list consists of 80 players, with Penn State leading the way with three candidates and an additional 16 schools having two players represented. The SEC and ACC boast 17 candidates, followed by the Big12 (15) and Big10 (14).
To secure the Maxwell Award, Jennings will need to avoid some of the turnovers he suffered from last year. Jennings exploded after he took the starting job in Week 4 vs. TCU, passing for 3,245 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. He also rushed for 354 yards and five touchdowns.
“The things I’ve been working on, just working on the little things, taking that very seriously,” Jennings said at ACC Media Days. “Being a better leader, being a more vocal leader at that, and also just decision-making. That kind of cost me a little bit last year. I think heading into this year, I think I’m way better at decision-making and making the right reads and all that. Just looking forward to seeing my team play this year, honestly. That’s what I’m more excited about.”
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 11, 2025, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled November 25, 2025. The winner of the 89th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 11, 2025. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday March 13, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
