Trio of Rebels Named to Maxwell, Bednarik Award Midseason Watch Lists

PHILADELPHIA– (Release) Ole Miss football received a handful of midseason honors on Thursday, with wide receiver Tre Harris joining the Maxwell Award watch list, while defenders Walter Nolen and Chris Paul Jr. both were added to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list.

Harris is one of 17 new additions to the Maxwell Award watch list, and he joins senior quarterback and national passing leader Jaxson Dart, who was added to the watch list during the preseason. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Player in college football and has been awarded since 1937 in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell.

Nolen and Paul Jr., meanwhile, join preseason selection Princely Umanmielen and are among 13 new additions on the Bednarik Award watch list, which has been awarded annually to the top defensive player in college football since 1994 in honor of Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik.

Tre Harris

Harris is in the midst of a remarkable season as Ole Miss’ top passing target, currently leading the nation in receiving yards (987) and yards per game (141.0), while also leading the SEC in receptions per game (8.4) and receiving touchdowns (6). Harris has had no fewer than 81 yards receiving in each game this season, breaking the century mark five times, 150 yards three times, and bursting through for a career-high 225 yards on 11 catches against Georgia Southern. Harris recorded the most pre-October receiving yards of the College Football Playoff era at 804 through five games, and he currently grades out as the top-rated FBS receiver per PFF at a 90.1 grade.

Walter Nolen

Nolen has been a powerful force on Ole Miss’ strong defensive line, currently ranking third on the team with 6.0 tackles for loss in addition to his 26 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two QB hurries and one fumble recovery. Nolen ranks third nationally in PFF’s rush defense ratings among all interior defensive linemen at a 91.1 grade, and is one of three Ole Miss defensive tackles ranked within the top-15.

Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr.

Paul Jr, meanwhile, ranks not only as the top Rebel tackler at 48 total stops on the season, but also as the SEC’s top graded linebacker per PFF at a 90.9 grade (No. 2 FBS). Paul Jr. ranks tied for second on the team in tackles for loss at 7.0, while he also owns 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a team-leading seven QB hurries.

Semifinalists announced Nov. 12

Semifinalists for both the Maxwell Award and Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 12, while the three finalists for each will be unveiled Nov. 26. The winners will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec 12. The formal presentations of each award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 14, 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

Maxwell Award Watch List Additions

Luke Altmyer, QB – Illinois
Alonza Barnett III, QB – James Madison
Bryson Daily, QB – Army
Tre Harris, WR – Ole Miss
Blake Horvath, QB – Navy
Kaleb Johnson, RB – Iowa
John Mateer, QB – Washington State
Kyle McCord, QB – Syracuse
Chandler Morris, QB – North Texas
Le’Veon Moss, RB – Texas A&M
Diego Pavia, QB – Vanderbilt
Desmond Reid, RB – Pitt
Kurtis Rourke, QB – Indiana
Dylan Sampson, RB – Tennessee
Cam Skattebo, RB – Arizona State
Jeremiah Smith, WR – Ohio State
Ryan Williams, WR – Alabama

Bednarik Award Watch List Additions

Shaun Dolac, LB – Buffalo
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE – Boston College
Aaron Graves, DT – Iowa
Mike Green, EDGE – Marshall
Derrick Harmon, DT – Oregon
Mikhail Jamara, EDGE – Indiana
Kyle Kennard, EDGE – South Carolina
Walter Nolen, DT – Ole Miss
Chris Paul Jr., LB – Ole Miss
Whit Weeks, LB – LSU
Trey White, EDGE – San Diego State
Bradyn Swinson, DE – LSU
Nohl Williams, CB – Cal