Tracking Razorbacks on 2023 preseason football watch lists

Published Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Following back-to-back seasons with winning records, Arkansas players are generating more preseason notoriety in recent years than they did previously.
Here is a rundown of the Razorbacks on the preseason watch lists for national awards:
KJ Jefferson, Quarterback
• Maxwell Award
Jefferson returns for his third season as a starter after passing for more than 2,600 yards and rushing for more than 600 yards in both 2021 and 2022. He has accounted for 67 touchdowns — 48 passing and 19 rushing — during his career. He and Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders are among the 85 players on the Maxwell Award watch list. No Razorback has won the Maxwell Award.
Raheim Sanders, Running Back
• Maxwell Award
Sanders just missed on the SEC rushing championship as a sophomore in 2022 when he totaled 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 6.5-yard average per carry was tied for the best in the SEC. He also had 28 receptions for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Beaux Limmer, Center
• Outland Trophy
Limmer is making a full-time position change to center after starting most games at guard since the start of the 2020 season. He earned second-team All-SEC and third-team All-America honors last season when he started 12 games at guard and the Liberty Bowl at center. He was penalized 5 times in 983 snaps, allowed 4 sacks in 451 pass attempts, and helped the Razorbacks average 236.7 rushing yards. Limmer is one of 91 players on the Outland Trophy watch list, including 12 centers. Arkansas has had two winners of the award, but none since Loyd Phillips in 1966.
Dwight McGlothern, Cornerback
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy
In his first season after transferring from LSU, McGlothern earned second-team All-SEC in 2022 when he led the Razorbacks and ranked second in the league with four interceptions. He recorded 52 tackles as a 13-game starter. McGlothern is one of 94 players on the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy. No Razorback has won the award.
All-Time Arkansas National Award Winners
• Bill "Bud" Brooks, OG/DT, Outland Trophy, 1954
• Loyd Phillips, DT, Outland Trophy, 1966
• Jonathan Luigs, C, Rimington Trophy, 2007
• Darren McFadden, RB, Doak Walker Award, 2006
• Darren McFadden, RB, Doak Walker Award, 2007
• Darren McFadden, RB, Walter Camp Player of the Year, 2007
• D.J. Williams, TE, John Mackey Award, 2010
• Joe Adams, WR, Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers Award, 2011
• Hunter Henry, TE, John Mackey Award, 2015
• Grant Morgan, LB, Brandon Burlsworth Trophy, 2021
Award Key
• Maxwell Award — Best player
• Doak Walker Award — Best running back
• Rimington Trophy — Best center
• Outland Trophy — Best interior lineman
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy — Best defensive player
• John Mackey Award — Best tight end
• Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers Award — Best return specialist
• Brandon Burlsworth Trophy — Best former walk-on