PHILADELPHIA – The Mid-American Conference was represented by four student-athletes on the 2026 Maxwell Award Watch List, as announced today by The Maxwell Football Club.

Akron running back Jordan Gant and Western Michigan teammantes Broc Lowry (quarterback) and Jalen Buckley (running back) were all named to the watch list for the honor which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Buckley was also named to the award's watch list prior to last season. 

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 10, 2026, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled November 24, 2026. The winner of the 90^th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2026. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.

Buckley was a Third Team All-MAC selection after rushing for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns, culminating with being named the MAC Championship Game Offensive MVP after rushing for 193 yards and two touchdowns. He wrapped up the season by being named the Myrtle Beach Bowl MVP after rushing for 174 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries in the win over Kennesaw State. Buckley, who was a member of the Maxwell Award Watch List last season, enters his final season at WMU currently ranked ninth in program history in career rushing yards with 2,716. 

Gant capped his first season at Akron in 2025 as the first 1,000-yard rusher since Dennis Kennedy ran for 1,321 yards in 2008. Gant finished the season with 1,032 yards, averaging 86.0 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry. He registered three games of 150 yards or more, including a career-high 176-yard performance against Central Michigan where he was awarded the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week accolades. In addition, Gant was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week for a 161-yard, three-touchdown performance against Duquesne and added a 153-yard effort against UMass with two touchdowns. Gant recorded six rushing TDs, and one receiving TD for the season. He registered nine receptions an 48 yards receiving in 2025.

Lowry is the reigning Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year after helping lead the Broncos to a MAC Championship and a win in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Lowry, who played in all 14 games and made 11 starts, finished the season with 1,803 yards passing with nine touchdowns and rushed for 963 yards and 14 touchdowns. Both the rushing yards and rushing touchdowns are the most by a Bronco quarterback in a single season in program history. 

#MACtion on 2026 Watch Lists
Maxwell Award
Jordan Gant, Akron
Broc Lowry, Western Michigan
Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan