Arkansas redshirt senior quarterback Taylen Green has been named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious Maxwell Award, presented annually to the top player in college football. The announcement was made Monday by the Maxwell Football Club, placing Green among 80 players nationwide in contention for the honor.
The Maxwell Award, which dates back to 1937, is named in memory of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell — a former Swarthmore College standout, sportswriter, and respected football official. Green becomes the second Razorback quarterback under head coach Sam Pittman to make the watch list, joining former starter KJ Jefferson, who was recognized in both 2022 and 2023.
A native of Lewisville, Texas, Green is coming off a standout 2024 season in which he racked up 3,756 total yards — 3,154 passing and 602 rushing — while accounting for 23 touchdowns. His total yardage ranks second in a single season in Razorback history, trailing only Ryan Mallett’s record-setting 3,795-yard campaign. Green also became just the seventh player in program history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a single season.
His 2024 performance ranked him among the national leaders in several statistical categories:
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13th in total offense per game (288.9 yards)
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14th in passing yards per completion (13.71)
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21st in total passing yards (3,154)
Green capped off the season in spectacular fashion, earning Liberty Bowl MVP honors with a record-breaking performance against Texas Tech. He threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns while adding 81 rushing yards and another score in a 39-26 Razorback win — the first 300-yard passing game by an Arkansas quarterback in a bowl since 2016.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Green threw for 300 or more yards in three contests, including a career-high 416-yard outing against Oklahoma State on September 7.
Heading into the 2025 campaign, Green and Oklahoma’s John Mateer are the only returning quarterbacks in the country who passed for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for over 600 yards last season. Green also enters the season as one of just 10 active FBS quarterbacks with at least 4,000 career passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. His 8,576 combined career yards lead all returning FBS players with five or fewer seasons of eligibility.
The Maxwell Award semifinalists will be announced on November 11, followed by the naming of three finalists on November 25. The winner of the 89th Maxwell Award will be revealed on December 11 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Formal presentation of the award will take place on March 13, 2026, at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala in Atlanta, Georgia.
Green and the Razorbacks report to fall camp on Thursday, with their first practice scheduled for Friday morning. Arkansas opens the 2025 season at home on Saturday, August 30, against Alabama A&M. Kickoff is set for 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network.
