The Maxwell Football Club announced the watch lists for its two national awards and the trio of Gamecocks who will be in Atlanta for SEC Media Days are on in contention.
Quarterback Jake Bentley and wide receiver Deebo Samuel are on the watch list for the Maxwell Award which goes to college football's player of the year. Defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum is on the watch list for the Bednarik Award which goes to college football's defensive player of the year.
Bentley is entering his second full season as the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks. He is coming back MVP honors in the Outback Bowl and remember when he took over in the second half of the 2016 season. He has really settled in as the leader in that huddle and it's going to be fascinating to see his progression in this, his junior season.
Samuel played in just three games last year. But in those three games, Samuel scored six touchdowns, including a pair of 97-yard kickoff returns. He caught 15 passes for 250 yards and when healthy, is one of the most electrifying players in the country.
Wonnum enjoyed a breakout season for the Gamecocks as a sophomore in 2017 when he was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in back to back weeks for his performances against Tennessee and Arkansas.
