Arkansas State senior wide receiver Corey Rucker has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List for the 2025 college football season, a testament to his outstanding performance on the field. This recognition puts him among the elite 80 players nationwide considered for the prestigious award, which honors the most outstanding player in college football annually.
Rucker’s inclusion on the list marks another achievement in his stellar career at Arkansas State. He is the fifth player from the university to earn this honor, following in the footsteps of Kirk Merritt, Layne Hatcher, Justice Hansen, and Fredi Knighten. His accomplishments include being the program’s all-time leader in career receiving yards with 3,037, and ranking second in both career touchdown catches (23) and career receptions (180). In 2024, Rucker amassed 1,053 receiving yards, marking the fourth-highest single-season total in the school’s history.
Last season, Rucker averaged 81.0 receiving yards per game, surpassing the 100-yard mark in five games. His top performances included 193 yards on 12 catches against Troy and a significant 79-yard reception in the 68 Ventures Bowl victory over Bowling Green.
Rucker’s accolades extend beyond the Maxwell Award Watch List. He has been a two-time Second Team All-Sun Belt selection and was a 2021 FWAA Freshman All-America pick. For 2025, he has been selected First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Additionally, he is nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his community service efforts and is on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List as a top NFL draft prospect.
The Maxwell Award, first awarded in 1937, is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) and honors players annually for their exceptional contributions to college football. Arkansas State, coming off two consecutive bowl appearances and a steady increase in regular season wins since 2022, is poised for another strong season.
The Red Wolves begin their 2025 campaign on August 30 against Southeast Missouri at Centennial Bank Stadium.
