It’s that time of year again. Training camps are underway, predictions are being made, and players are being named to award watch lists. For Syracuse football, five players made the cut.
Garrett Shrader
Garrett Shrader actually made two watch lists. The first is for the Davey O’Brien Award, which is handed out to the best quarterback in the nation after each season. 35 signal callers are on the preseason list, which gets cut down throughout the season.
Shrader was also one of two SU players named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is for the most outstanding player in college football, with 85 players named on the preseason list.
Last season, Shrader picked up over 3,000 yards passing and rushing, while adding 26 total touchdowns.
Oronde Gadsden II
Gadsden, a preseason All-ACC pick, also made two lists: the Biletnikoff Award, given to the top receiver in the nation regardless of position, as well as the Maxwell Award.
This is Gadsden’s second year on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, as he was added mid-season last year. In 2022, he led all tight ends in the nation with 969 yards, so it’s not a surprise to see his name on the list again.
With the Maxwell Award, Gadsden’s addition is important for Syracuse. The Orange are just one of 16 teams in the country to have multiple players on the list.
LeQuint Allen
Despite being a backup last year, Allen is making waves with his talent. He was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list, giving him the status of one of the nation’s top running backs.
Allen flashed the most in two games last year. First, he threw for a touchdown and caught another TD against Wake Forest in November. Then, in the Pinstripe Bowl a month later, Allen tallied 154 total yards. If he can repeat those performances in his new starting role, then the Doak Walker Award might be within reach.
Trebor Pena
Pena made the Paul Hornung Award watch list. This award goes to the “most versatile player” in the country. Given Pena’s ability to receive, rush, and return, the Hornung Award watch list seems like home for him.
Marlowe Wax Jr.
Marlowe Wax earned a spot on the Dick Butkus Award watch list. This award is given to the best linebacker in college football. With an All-ACC selection last season, it’s not surprising for Wax to get hype this year.
