Texas Tech University Athletics
Dickey named to Maxwell Award watch list
August 03, 2026 | Football
Cameron Dickey kicked off a slate of preseason watch lists by being named a candidate for the Maxwell Award
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech junior running back Cameron Dickey was tabbed Monday to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which annually recognizes the most outstanding player in college football.
This is the first preseason watch list this summer for Dickey, who is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign where he became the ninth Red Raider in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Dickey totaled 1,124 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season as he led the Big 12 for both total touchdowns (16) and rushing touchdowns and was third overall for total rushing yards. He ranked in the top 20 nationally as well for both total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns.
His 1,000-yard season marked the third in as many years by a Red Raider, following in the footsteps of former teammate Tahj Brooks, now with the Cincinnati Bengals. Prior to last season, Texas Tech had not boasted a 1,000-yard rusher in three-consecutive seasons in school history.
Texas Tech rushed for 2,560 yards as a team last season behind both Dickey and fellow junior J'Koby Williams, marking its most since entering the Big 12 in 1996. The tandem of Dickey and Williams blistered opponents not only on the ground but in the passing game and on special teams with the duo accounting for at least 1,300 all-purpose yards each. Texas Tech was one of only two teams nationally last season to boast multiple players with at least 1,300 all-purpose yards and the lone school to do so with both being running backs.
Dickey, an All-Big 12 second team selection by the conference coaches and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award a year ago, was one of 81 players nationally named to the Maxwell Award watch list and one of 15 from the Big 12 Conference. The award is now in its 90th season, annually honoring the nation's player of the year.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 10 with three finalists being selected two weeks later on Nov. 24. The winner of the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13 at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta.
The Maxwell Award kicks off three-straight weeks of watch list announcements by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The preseason rollout continues Tuesday with the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
