July 5, 2011
SAN DIEGO - The 2011 Maxwell Award Watch List was announced Tuesday and a pair of Aztecs, sophomore running back Ronnie Hillman and senior quarterback Ryan Lindley, are among the 66 candidates nominated for the annual honor that is presented to the nation's most outstanding collegiate football player. Lindley and Hillman are the first San Diego State student-athletes tabbed to the watch list since former running back Lynell Hamilton in 2006.
One of just 11 sophomores on this season's watch list, Hillman rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago en route to freshman All-America and conference freshman-of-the-year honors. The 5-10 running back ran for more than 150 yards six times in 2010, including a career high of 228 yards at No. 25 Missouri and vs. Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. The La Habra, Calif., native led the Mountain West in rushing and ranked first among all freshmen (10th overall) nationally in that category.
Lindley returns for his fourth year as SDSU's starting signal caller and has already amassed 9,537 career passing yards and 67 touchdowns in 36 contests. The Alpine, Calif., product had his best season a year ago, throwing for 3,830 yards and 28 TDs to lead the Mountain West in passing (294.6 ypg.) and total offense (292.2 ypg.). Lindley was a second-team all-conference selection as a junior and enters 2011 within striking distance of the school's all-time career passing record currently held by Todd Santos (11,425).
San Diego State is one of 15 schools to have two or more players on this year's Maxwell Award Watch List. Overall, 47 schools are represented, including fellow Mountain West members Boise State and TCU.
The 66 players nominated this season were picked by the Maxwell Football Club's selection committee and evaluated on past performance and future potential. Additions and deletions to the watch list may be made throughout the season and the award's winner will be voted on by members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA sports information directors, head coaches and selected national media.
The Maxwell Award has been given out annually since 1937, and is named in honor of sportswriter Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell. This year's group of semifinalists will be announced on Oct. 31, while the finalist will be unveiled on Nov. 21. The winner of the award will be recognized on Dec. 8, as a part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show and the formal presentation takes place at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala in Atlantic City, N.J., on March 2, 2012.
2011 National Award Watch Lists - San Diego State
Maxwell Award (nation's most outstanding player) Ryan Lindley, Sr., QB
Ronnie Hillman, So., RB