The college football watch list is a curious animal. Over the course of two weeks, it seems like you, me, and Tom Selleck are all on watch lists for something. That said, it's an accomplishment, especially for players like Ohio running back Beau Blankenship, Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo, or Buffalo running back Branden Oliver, who don't get the same attention as guys like Johnny Manziel or Jadeveon Clowney.
How life-changing is it to appear on a college football award watch list?
So very. Here’s how Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton obtained and processed the news of his watch-listing.
Unfortunately, watch lists don’t get the pomp and circumstance things like Oscar nominations do. There are no big parties, sponsorships, rented-out ballrooms. Not even gift bags filled with exquisite nuts, electronics, and bath products. Most of those are NCAA violations, although I’m not 100 percent sure what the governing body’s stance on cashews is.
When you’re named for the Maxwell or Ray Guy Award Watch List, you’ll settle for having someone let you know you’re on the list in the first place. And maybe you go get a Blizzard; I’m pretty sure they’re $1 off with valid college I.D.
Maxwell listee Chuckie Keeton, Utah State's quarterback who threw for 3,373 yards and 27 touchdowns a year ago, first had to make sure he wasn't part of a joke.
Martin: First off, congratulations on being named to the Maxwell watch list. There are a lot of really great players on there, and it’s clear people paid attention to the year you had last year. Where were you when you found out?
Chuckie: Actually, a friend texted me and asked me if I knew what the Maxwell Award was because he saw I was named to a watch list.
Martin: No one emailed you to let you know?
Chuckie: I did some digging. Word got out pretty quickly, but I had to make sure it wasn’t someone making a fake list on a site or anything. Once it made its way to the message board, I figured it was legit.
Martin: How did you celebrate?
Chuckie: I didn’t really celebrate. It’s a great honor, and the Maxwell Award is an incredible achievement, but there’s a lot of work to do. There are plenty of people named to the list, but only one person wins.
Martin: With the way they roll out watch lists over a couple weeks, it seems like just about every college football player is nominated for something. Does this deter you in any way, or does the list matter?
Chuckie: It’s interesting because it’s not a position-based award. This isn’t the award for all running backs or all kickers. So, in a way, being named to this list is a team achievement. I wouldn’t be here if my receivers didn’t run good routes and the linemen didn’t do their jobs. So I’ll be playing for them and the honor is theirs too.
Martin: So you won’t be making a plaque or putting Maxwell Watch List on your resume?
Chuckie: Ha ha, nope, Maxwell Award Winner sounds a lot better anyway. It’s time to focus on the season and get to work.
Martin: It’s safe to say, when you were at the dentist last week you weren’t getting your smile ready for Hollywood?
Chuckie: Nothing like that at all.
This is my final post on SB Nation. On Monday, July 22, I will be joining SI.com’s Campus Union. I love this site dearly, and to everyone who has read my posts -- from one-act plays to space conference press releases to the Truman Show of recruiting -- thank you. I never thought anyone would like my jokes or the things flashing across my warped mind, and the SB Nation community always let me be me. That means an awful lot to this little guy.
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