Jul 07, 2015 02:50 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Maxwell Football Club (MF) unveiled their preseason watch lists Tuesday for offensive and defensive player of the year.

The MFC created the Maxwell Award in 1937 to honor college football's best player, though it has favored offensive players of late, quarterbacks in particular. In 11 of the past 12 years, a QB has taken home the Maxwell Award.

Here are some of the most notable Maxwell Award watch list players.

The MFC founded the Chuck Bednarik Award in 1995 to honor the top defensive player. Click here for notable Bednarik Award watch list players.

Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones

No, not even the MFC knows which QB Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer will start week one. But the inclusion of all three essentially means the MFC believes whoever can win the position and keep it has a chance to win the award.

Connor Cook (Michigan State), Trevone Boykin (TCU) and Cody Kessler (USC)

This trio of QBs could well be named to the preseason Heisman Trophy watch list and could lead their teams into the College Football Playoff as well.

Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)

Last season was a dud for Hackenberg, but it probably should not be considered regression. Hackenberg was transitioning from QB guru Bill O'Brien's system to James Franklin's while constantly throwing under pressure behind an atrocious offensive line.

So with a full offseason for Franklin to retool the Lions, and with Hackenberg familiarizing himself further with the offense, the expectations for him are reasonably high.

Leonard Fournette (LSU), Nick Chubb (Georgia), Ezekiel Elliot (Ohio State) and Derrick Henry (Alabama)

If a non-QB were to win the Maxwell Award, these four running backs would be solid bets. Fournette and Chubb ran for more than 1,000 yards as freshman and should now have the lion's share of touches this season.

No matter who is taking snaps for Ohio State, expect Miller/Barrett/Jones to feed Elliott often. Of his1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, 696 yards and eight scores came in Ohio State's Big Ten Championship, Sugar Bowl and National Championship victories.

Alabama never seems to be without a great running back. In splitting carries with T.J. Yeldon last season, Henry still managed 990 yards and 11 scores and he has all the makings of the next great Crimson Tide running back.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit