Purdy named to Maxwell Award Watch List

Dec 28, 2018; San Antonio, TX, United States; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) looks to throw against the Washington State Cougars during the first half in the 2018 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday. The Maxwell Award is awarded each season to the College Football Player of the Year.

Purdy was the spark plug for Iowa State’s 8-5 2018 season and run to the Alamo Bowl. The 6-foot-1 Gilbert, Az. native stepped in during the second drive of Iowa State’s fifth game of the season and proceeded to lead the Cyclones to a victory over Oklahoma State in Stillwater behind more than 400 yards of total offense from the true freshman quarterback.

Purdy took over as the team’s starting quarterback the following week throwing for 254 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant win over No. 6 West Virginia in Ames. He would go on to finish his true freshman season with a 7-2 record as the program’s primary signal caller.

The first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Cyclones since 1995, Purdy finish the season completing a school-record 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,250 yards and 16 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. He also contributed 308 yards rushing and five scores on the ground.

Purdy and the Cyclones will kick off their season Aug. 31 when Northern Iowa visits Jack Trice Stadium.