Hokie Hopefuls Named to Maxwell Watch List: Signaling Virginia Tech’s Rising Stars

Virginia Tech football fans have a reason to ride a wave of optimism despite their football program’s transitional phase. On July 28th, 2025, QB Kyron Drones and RB Terion Stewart earned spots on the 2025 Maxwell Award Watch List, becoming two of only 80 players nationwide to receive this preseason honor. Drones, a six-foot-two senior recovering from an injury‑shortened 2024 season, arrives in fall camp fully healthy and preparing to master offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery’s new system. Stewart, the powerful five-foot-nine, 222‑pound transfer from Bowling Green, steps in to replace NFL‑bound Bhayshul Tuten and aims to anchor the Hokie running game. Both were also on last year’s watch list, signaling their consistency and rising profiles within college football. Their inclusion offers an early indicator that, even amid rebuilding, emerging talent at Virginia Tech may shape the narrative for Hokie fans this season.

To understand why being on the Maxwell Award Watch List matters, a brief history is in order. Established in 1937 by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia, the award honors the College Football Player of the Year, judged by sportscasters, writers, coaches, and club members. Named for Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a former standout, official, and sports journalist, the award has a storied legacy and prestige comparable to the Heisman trophy, often called “the other award”. Only two players have ever won it twice: Johnny Lattner and Tim Tebow. In recent years, Maxwell winners have frequently gone on to win the Heisman, emphasizing how this award highlights national elite performers. Being named early to the preseason list places players like Drones and Stewart in elite company and ahead of a deadline landscape that narrows to semifinalists on November 11th and finalists on November 25th, with the winner unveiled at ESPN’s college awards show on December 11th.

Looking ahead, Drones and Stewart’s inclusion could be an incentive not only for their careers but for Virginia Tech’s resurgence on offense. If Drones can deliver healthy and efficient performances in Montgomery's offense, and Stewart brings his proven downhill explosiveness, they could elevate the Hokies into ACC relevance again. Beyond individual honor, they also set a tone for the team’s broader confidence, showing that even in transition, top-tier talent remains at Blacksburg. For Drones, strong numbers and durability might revive NFL buzz, while Stewart’s breakout season could make Virginia Tech a destination for future high-impact transfers. Among the other 80 players on the watch list, many of these players are Heisman favorites or transfer standouts; they’ll be considered peers, sharpening their visibility across media and draft networks. In short, their entries on the Maxwell Watch List for the second year in a row offer both validation and momentum; not just for this duo, but for a program aiming to redefine its identity in 2025.