Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten have been named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the college football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and members of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best all-around in the United States.
Drones (6-2, 234) threw for 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns last season against only three interceptions. The redshirt junior from Pearland, Texas also rushed for 818 yards and five scores. Drones took over as the starter in Week 3 last fall at Rutgers and led Tech to a big turnaround over the final eight games, going 5-3 in the ACC to become bowl-eligible.
Drones set a Virginia Tech bowl record and Military Bowl record with 176 rushing yards in a 41-20 win over Tulane. He also passed for 91 yards and two touchdowns and was named Military Bowl MVP.
Tuten (5-11, 209) rushed for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, averaging five yards per carry. The senior from Paulsboro, New Jersey tallied 239 receiving yards and two TDs. Tuten made a huge impact on special teams, returning 19 kicks for 550 yards and two touchdowns. He was one of five FBS players to record two-plus kick return touchdowns.
Tuten’s 1,633 all-purpose yards in 2023 helped him earn several post-season accolades including, third team All-ACC running back, second team All-ACC all-purpose back, as well as All-American kick returner honors from Phil Steele, The Sporting News, and College Football Network.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 12, while the three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 26. The winner of the 88th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 12.