Pribula joins Maxwell Award contention, Trotter added to Bednarik Award watch list

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A pair of Mizzou Tigers have joined the running for two prestigious awards.

On Thursday, MU quarterback Beau Pribula and linebacker Josiah Trotter were added to the Maxwell and Bednarik Award midseason watch lists, respectively, per announcements from the National College Football Awards Association.

The Maxwell Award recognizes the best all-around college football player in the nation while the Bednarik Award is presented to the country's top defensive player. Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter were crowned the winners of those awards last season.

Pribula has established himself as one of the league's rising stars in his first year as a starting quarterback. The Penn State transfer currently boasts the third-best completion percentage in the nation (.759) and the seventh-most passing yards per game in the SEC (240.6). He has thrown for 1,203 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 121 yards on 40 attempts with three scores.

Trotter is building on his 2024 Freshman All-American and Big-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year campaign, leading the Tigers in total tackles (28) and matching defensive end Zion Young for the team lead in tackles for loss (6.0). The West Virginia transfer's six tackles for loss is tied for the fifth-best mark in the SEC.

The Maxwell and Bednarik Award's three finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 25.