CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Clemson's returning starter at QB earned some preseason recognition Monday.
Clemson's returning starter at QB earned some preseason recognition Monday.

Three Tigers on Maxwell Award watch list


by - Staff Writer -

Three Tigers made the Maxwell Award watch list for the nation's top player on Monday.

Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins was one of three defenders among the group, joining Ohio State's Nick Bosa (DE) and Houston's Ed Oliver (DT). Wilkins was honored with the Willis Award last season as the best defensive lineman nationally. He's posted 193 career tackles, 10 sacks, 43 QB pressures and 14 pass breakups over three seasons.

On the offensive side, returning starting quarterback Kelly Bryant and starting running back Travis Etienne round out Clemson's representatives on the list.

Etienne emerged last season as a threat inside-and-outside the tackles - ranking second in the ACC in yards per carry (7.16), as well as a national leader in yards per between the tackles (8.12, per Pro Football Focus) and a conference returning leader in yards after contact (4.82, per Pro Football Focus).

Another first-year starter in Bryant helped lead Clemson to a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff last season, leading the ACC in adjusted completion percentage (73.9) and passer rating on deep throws (115.4; stats per Pro Football Focus). He finished with 2,802 passing yards, throwing 13 touchdown passes and eight picks and rushing for 665 yards and 11 more scores.

Season outlook: QB

Season outlook: RB

Season outlook: DT

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