July 16, 2018
2018 SDSU Football Preseason Accolades
PHILADELPHIA -- San Diego State junior running back Juwan Washington (Kennedale, Texas) has been named to the 2018 Maxwell Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday. The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, is given annually to the collegiate player of the year.
It is the fourth straight year that an Aztec has made the preseason list, joining fellow running backs Donnel Pumphrey in 2015 and 2016, and Rashaad Penny in 2017. Both Pumphrey (2016) and Penny (2017) ended up being semifinalists for the award. Other SDSU players to garner preseason accolades for the Maxwell Award include running back Adam Muema in 2013, quarterback (and current graduate assistant coach) Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman in 2011, and running back Lynell Hamilton in 2006.
Washington is one of five players from the Mountain West on the watch list and the only running back.
Last year, Washington rushed for 759 yards and seven touchdowns on 127 attempts (6.0 avg.) while backing up the nation's leading rusher in Penny, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and was named a consensus first-team All-American. Washington also returned 14 kicks for 333 yards (23.8 avg.) with two touchdowns, while adding three catches for 38 yards (13.0 avg.). Washington enters his junior season tied for third among active FBS players with three kick return touchdowns.
Last month, Washington was named a first-team all-Mountain West running back by Athlon Sports and Street & Smith's, and a second-team pick by Phil Steele Magazine. Washington also was chosen as a second-team kick returner by Athlon.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Oct. 29, 2018, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 19, 2018. The winners of the award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 6, 2018 with the formal presentation taking place on March 8, 2019.
San Diego State finished 2017 with a 10-3 record, its school-record third consecutive season with at least 10 victories. The Aztecs are one of just seven schools in the nation to win at least 10 games in three straight seasons (also Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin). SDSU is scheduled to return seven starters on offense and seven on defense, along with its kicker and punter.
San Diego State is accepting new account deposits on 2018 season tickets through the Aztec Ticket Office, while current season-ticket holders can also renew their tickets for the 2018 campaign. Fans can purchase tickets through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting SDCCU Stadium's Window E between 9 a.m. PT and 5 p.m. PT.
The Aztecs kick off their season at Stanford on Friday, Aug. 31, and begin a three-game homestand against Sacramento State on Saturday, Sept. 8.