Maurice Ffrench named to Maxwell Award watch list

Pitt wide receiver Maurice Ffrench was placed on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which has been given to the most outstanding college football player in the nation every year since 1937. He was one of eight ACC players to make the 80-man list.

Ffrench has been a versatile player for the Panthers since coming to Pitt in 2016. In his first season, he emerged as a two-way talent, contributing at wide receiver, running back and cornerback. That season, he ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. However, 2018 was his breakout season, as Ffrench accumulated 1,224 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, including 547 on kick returns.

The addition of Ffrench to the watch list comes just two days before the 2019 ACC Football Kickoff event, at which Ffrench will represent Pitt alongside Panthers cornerback Dane Jackson and head coach Pat Narduzzi. Six of Pitt’s past 12 selections for the event are now on NFL rosters, including Tyler Boyd, James Conner, Aaron Donald, Avonte Maddox, Brian O’Neill and Nathan Peterman.

The last Pitt player to win the Maxwell Award was Panthers linebacker Hugh Green, who amassed 123 tackles, including 17 sacks and 11 tackles for losses, in 1980. Pitt running back Tony Dorsett also won the award in 1976, after rushing for 2,150 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Semifinalists for the award will be named on Oct. 29, three finalists will be announced on Nov. 25 and the winner for the 2019 season will be honored on Dec. 12.