PITTSBURGH—Pitt quarterback Phil Jurkovec has been named a preseason candidate for the prestigious Maxwell Award presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. The award watch list was unveiled today by the Maxwell Football Club.
One of the most prolific passers in Western Pennsylvania high school history, Jurkovec enrolled at Pitt in January as a mid-year graduate transfer from Boston College. A Pittsburgh native, he was a prep star at nearby Pine-Richland High School.
In three seasons at Boston College (2020-22), Jurkovec threw for 5,184 yards on 59% passing (404 of 679) with 35 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He also rushed for nine TDs.
At Pine-Richland, he was named a U.S. Army All-American after throwing for 8,202 yards and 71 touchdowns during his career. As a senior, he passed for 3,969 yards and 39 touchdowns (against just six interceptions) in leading the Rams to a 16-0 record and the WPIAL and PIAA Class 6A championships.
Ahead of his final season of collegiate eligibility, Jurkovec will open his first training camp at Pitt on Wednesday, August 2, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Pitt has two all-time winners of the Maxwell Award: running back Tony Dorsett (1976) and defensive end Hugh Green (1980). Quarterback Kenny Pickett was a finalist for the honor in 2021.
The 2023 winner of the Maxwell Award will be announced on ESPN’s live telecast of The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 7.
This is the first of 16 preseason award watch lists that will be unveiled over the next two weeks by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).
The NCFAA’s preseason watch list calendar:
Mon., July 31: Maxwell Award
Tue., Aug. 1: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Thu., Aug. 3: Paul Hornung Award/Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 4: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Tue., Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award
Wed., Aug. 9: Doak Walker Award
Thu., Aug. 10: Butkus Award/Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Fri., Aug. 11: Walter Camp Award
Mon., Aug. 14: Bednarik Award
Source: E.J. Borghetti/ Pitt Athletics
