Last week we discussed why college football’s preseason awards lists are, when you really drill down into what comprises their criteria, sort of silly. Which is true! It also doesn’t overlook what the general national consensus says about certain individual players, and on Monday, the Maxwell Football Club said something most folks already knew about Venric Mark. He is – per the Maxwell Award’s criteria – one of a handful of players that could finish the season with the honorary title of “America’s College Player of the Year.” Mark was one of 10 Big Ten players to be selected to the award’s preseason watch list.
The others were Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, Wisconsin running back James White, Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, Penn State running back Zach Swinak and Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah. You can find the entire list of nominees (as well as those for the Bednarik award, presented annually to the "College Defensive Player of the Year") here.
Oh, and just in case you forgot what Mark did, can do, or – as this award selection implies – might do, here’s a powerful video reminder.
The Maxwell is one of many preseason watch lists you’ll be seeing churned out over the coming weeks. The Wildcats, who return 15 starters this season, should be well-represented.
This is Mark's second preseason watch list nomination. Last week, he was recognized on the Paul Hornung Award's preseason list as one of the nation's most versatile players.