UAB running back DeWayne McBride was selected as one of 20 finalists for the 86th Maxwell Award and Blazers linebacker Noah Wilder is a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy.
The Maxwell Award is given to the Collegiate Player of the Year. The Burlsworth Trophy honors a player who began his career as a walk-on player and is now excelling at a high level.
McBride is the only player from a Group of Five program on the Maxwell Award list. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior from Starke, Florida, is the nation’s leader in yards per game (163.7). He’s rushed for over 100 yards in all seven of his appearances this season and 200 yards or more in two of those games.
Overall, he has 1,146 yards with 12 touchdowns. He is on pace to break the UAB record for single season rushing yards, which was set in 2014 by NFL veteran Jordan Howard (1,587 yards on 306 carries). McBride had 1,371 rushing yards last season, which is the third most in program history.
McBride was also selected as a member of the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation’s top running back.
Wilder is a four-year starter, who played in high school at Bessemer Academy. Wilder walked on at UAB in 2018, after spending a season at Gardner-Webb. He will leave the program as one of the career leaders in tackles. Wilder is currently fourth on the career tackles list with 305. He is 16 tackles short of tying Nigel Eldridge for third place and 67 tackles short of second place Zac Woodfin.
This season, Wilder has a team-high 77 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. He’s reached double-digits in tackles three times this season, including a career-best 18 tackles in a win over Georgia Southern.
Troy linebacker Carlton Martial, Auburn long snapper Jacob Quattlebaum and South Alabama offensive lineman Reggie Smith were also selected to the watch list. Martial, who is chasing the NCAA career record in tackles, was one of three finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy last season.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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