For the second year in a row, SMU running back Zach Line has been named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award. This is not the first honor that has been bestowed on Line during the 2012 preseason. LostLettermen.com named the SMU senior as the No. 1 non-BCS running back in the nation.

The Maxwell Award is awarded annually to America's oustanding collegiate football player by the Maxwell Football Club. The award has been given out since 1937 and is named in honor of sportswriter Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell. The watch list begins with 65 players and that number is slowly whittled down throughout the season. The semifinalists will be announced on October 29 and the three finalists will be unveiled on November 19.

If Line can stay healthy and maintain the success he had during the 2011 season, he should be a frontrunner for the award. He led Conference USA in rushing in both 2010 and 2011 and was named All-Conference USA first team both years. In 2011, despite missing the final three games on the season, Line was still ranked No. 7 in the nation in rushing at 122.4 yards a game. His excellent numbers last year made him one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, which is handed out to the nation's top running back.

Photo courtesy of Rob Graham