MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Former Northwest Ranger, NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year and current West Virginia senior running back Justin Crawford has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday.
 
The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official. Previous recipients of the Maxwell Award include Cam Newton (2010), Tim Tebow (2007-08), Drew Brees (2000), Barry Sanders (1988) and Herschel Walker (1982).
 
Crawford returns as the Big 12's leading rusher from 2016, finishing with 1,184 yards and four touchdowns. The 2016 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and All-Big 12 Conference performer, Crawford ran for 331 yards against Oklahoma and 201 more against Baylor. Along with WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen, Crawford will be one of four football athletes representing the Mountaineers at Big 12 Media Days on July 17-18 in Dallas.
 
Prior to WVU, Crawford starred the 2014-15 seasons at Northwest and helped the Rangers to the 2015 NJCAA National Championship. The Columbus, Ga., native shattered the Northwest record books by setting a combined 12 school records, including all-time rushing yards (3,161), rushing touchdowns (30) and all-purpose yards (3,993).

A two-time NJCAA All-American, All-MACJC and All-Region 23 selection, Crawford rushed for 1,610 yards on 248 carries (6.5 ypc) and scored 16 rushing touchdowns during his sophomore campaign, while adding 29 receptions for 394 yards and six touchdowns. 
 
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced October 30, 2017, while the final three finalists will be unveiled November 20, 2017. The winner of the 2017 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 7, 2017.

The formal presentations of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 9, 2018.