Donald Brown, who is leading the nation in rushing at a clip of 156.5 yards per game, was selected as one of 15 finalists for the Maxwell award, which is like a cheap knock-off of the Heisman trophy. 
Whatever, though–he’ll take it.
The 14 other nominees: Sam Bradford, So., QB, Oklahoma; Darryl Clark, Sr., QB, Penn State, Michael Crabtree, So., WR, Texas Tech; Chase Daniel, Sr., QB, Missouri, Shonn Greene, Jr., RB, Iowa; Graham Harrell, Sr., QB, Texas Tech; Jeremy Maclin, So., WR, Missouri, Colt McCoy, Jr, QB, Texas; LeSean McCoy, So., RB, Pittsburgh; Knowshon Moreno, So., RB, Georgia; Javon Ringer, Sr., RB, Michigan State; Zac Robinson, JR., QB, Oklahoma State; Mark Sanchez, Jr., QB, USC; Tim Tebow, Jr., QB, Florida.
Brown doesn’t exactly have his hopes up for the prize. He puts it quite bluntly when he says “No one from UConn will ever win an award like that. In order to to that, you have to get respect around the country, and we don’t get much respect outside of this building [Burton Complex].”
This is all true. Brown won’t win the Maxwell. But if he keeps this up and UConn finishes strong, there’s no reason why he can’t win the Doak Walker award for best running back.
