Florida State QB Christian Ponder is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award

by FrankDNole on Nov 4, 2009 2:07 PM EST Comment 47 comments

Florida State Seminole's very own Christian Ponder has been selected as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award which is presented annually to college football's player of the year.

Ponder, who wasn't even on the watch list as of a week ago, is one of 16 semifinalist for the award that goes to the nation's top player.

Here's the official release from FSU:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State junior quarterback Christian Ponder has been selected as one of 16 semifinalists for the 73rd Maxwell Award, presented to the nation’s collegiate player of the year.

Maxwell Football Club president Ron Jaworski made the announcement Wednesday morning.

Ponder, who was added the to award’s watch list on Friday, is one of seven quarterbacks and 10 underclassmen among the semifinalists. The Colleyville, Tex.., native leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in passing yards, total offense an completion percentage during his breakout season. He ranks among the top five nationally in four statistical categories.

Quarterback Charlie Ward is the only former Florida State player to win the Maxwell Award (1993).

Voting for the Maxwell Award, open only to club members, NCAA head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members, will be conducted through Nov. 22 with the three finalists announced Nov. 23. The winner will announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10, 2009.

The Semifinalists were announced today, and the three finalists for the award will be announced November 23rd. The winner of the 2009 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show which will be held on December 10, 2009. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Harrah’s Entertainment Atlantic City on March 5, 2010.

The panel voting for the Maxwell Award includes all members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA Sports Information Directors, Head Coaches, and selected national media, are the only one's eligible to vote for the Maxwell Award.

Here's the complete list of semifinalists:

Jahvid Best, University of California Berkley, RB, JR

Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame, QB, JR

Noel Devine, West Virginia University, RB, JR

Toby Gerhart, Stanford University, RB, SR

Mark Ingram, University of Alabama, RB, SOPH

Case Keenum, University of Houston, QB, JR

Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan University, QB, SR

Dion Lewis, University of Pittsburgh, RB, FR

Ryan Mathews, Fresno State University, RB, JR

Colt McCoy, University of Texas, QB, SR

Kellen Moore, Boise State University, QB, SOPH

Christian Ponder, Florida State University, QB, JR

Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State University, RB, SOPH

Jordan Shipley, University of Texas, WR, SR

Golden Tate, Notre Dame, WR, JR

Tim Tebow, University of Florida, QB, SR

CONGRATULATIONS TO CP7 FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON SO FAR-AND WITH MORE STILL TO COME!

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Comments

Way to go CP7

How is Spiller not on that list?

by CJS55 on Nov 4, 2009 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Voters like big numbers

Spiller is currently ranked 61st in rushing with only 574 yards.

I don’t see leaving him off the list a major issue

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If it's big numbers they want . . .

wait til the end of Saturday night.

by CJS55 on Nov 4, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it is a major oversight

and Spiller has plenty of big numbers. He leads the nation in all-purpose running with 208 yards per game. Against top 15 teams he had 234 against Georgia Tech, 310 against Miami (FL), and 227 against TCU. He has 6363 career all-purpose yards and besides Reggie Bush is the only player in college football history with 2500 yards rushing, 1500 yards in kickoff returns, 1000 in receiving and 5000 in punt returns. Has 17 total returns this year and has taken four to the house. Ranks third in the nation in kickoff return average with 38.2. Has 37-yard average in punt returns. Has 19 career touchdowns of 50 yards or more. Owns or is tied for 20 Clemson records, including three ACC records and one NCAA. I could go on and on, but Spiller being left off the list is about as bad as Ponder being left off the O’Brien list.

by 1newplayer on Nov 4, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You should have stopped after your 2nd sentence

All those other stats are irrelevant to THIS year’s award.

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

All I need is the first sentence

and my point is that Spiller has plenty of big numbers. Excuse me for educating you. I will continue to let you make uninformed comments.

by 1newplayer on Nov 4, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not one to stroke Tebow (although I'm sure he would like it)

But given your line of reasoning Spiller should be on the list due to career achievements and I would dare to say that Tebow has had a more succesful career than anyone on that list and therefore should be the winner.

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

208 all purpose yards a game

read the title again if need be. Clemson has no team without Spiller.

by 1newplayer on Nov 4, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Spiller ranks 6th in All Purpose Running

Sandwiched between Brandon West, Damaris Johnson, Torrey Smith, Darius Marshall, James Rodgers, Brandon Banks, Antonio Brown all who are also not on the list.

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So?

I forgot he dropped in standings because he sat out the second half last week. Spiller deserves to be on the list plain and simple and has plenty of big numbers contrary to what you believe.

by 1newplayer on Nov 4, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I just don't see it to be that big of an oversight

Although I would have put him in over 9th year senior Jordan Shipley

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL none of those guys plays a schedule like Spiller's and the one who is closest, Torrey Smith has a huge majority that come from Kick Return whereas Spiller is well rounded.

Against good teams Spiller is picking up yards and TDs by rushing, receiving, and returning.

Cursory glances don’t cut it.

365 days, until I change my ways.

by SWFLNole. on Nov 4, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

spiller belongs on the list

no one else can play rb, kr/pr, and wr. that alone might make him the best “football player” in the country. He isn’t a specialist, he is a player.

by fsu44 on Nov 4, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

He is an amazing football player who will more than likely shred FSU for 400 total yards on Saturday and be a 1st day draft pick.

But him not making the cut does not seem like a huge injustice.

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

justice and football awards don't really go together

on a side note, I didn’t realize this was an offensive award….I don’t see a single defensive player listed. :)

by fsu44 on Nov 4, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It is open to the best player

Defensive players don’t stand a shot though

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Screw you, Davey O'Brien

The Maxwell is better anyway

>>---l>

by DKfromVA on Nov 4, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

hell yea!

by fsu9310 on Nov 4, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agree

How a player can be up for an award given to a top overall player and not an award for top player at his position just shows how much of a joke some awards really are. Excited about the Maxewell, very disappointed with the O’Brien.

by cousinjay on Nov 4, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here is your reason

I emailed FSU’s SID after he was left off and asked what they had done to promote Ponder. I actually received an excellent response and detailed letter with the following excerpt:

From the moment we learned in July that Christian was omitted from the O’Brien watch list, we contacted the committee chair to gain a better understanding of why and how we could improve his candidacy. Unfortunately, the O’Brien Award does not make additions to its preseason list, regardless of meritorious performance.

The watch list came out in July so it has been out of everybody’s hands since.

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

thats ridiculous

how can you have a watch list for an award for performance before anyone has performed yet?

by B-rod24 on Nov 4, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i just emailed the davey o’brien foundation and told them i thought their award is a joke and it recognizes the player best hyped during preseason….

by garnetandgold on Nov 4, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great idea.

Why didn’t anyone else think of this?

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Nov 4, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Someone should write a Fanpost about it

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice

Good to see Ponder get the recognition he deserves.

by 1newplayer on Nov 4, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thank you! Its about time! Congrats to Christian

by RunninNole on Nov 4, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great list. They got it right.

Not only with the addition of CP but Gerhart and “Quiz” Rodgers. Both very underrated, but I am glad to see them get their just due. Also I love leaving off Mazoli. He has been on most people Heismans watch list after seeing him perform on the national spotlight, but it’s a bit of a knee jerk reaction.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Nov 4, 2009 3:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

spelling fail: Masoli

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Nov 4, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone see Ponder on College Football Live today?

Represented himself and the university well I think. Seemed to be concidering the NFL a little more than in previous interviews…time will tell though.

by RunninNole on Nov 4, 2009 4:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here's a link

to the interview in case anyone missed Ponder today on CFL.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4623197&categoryid=2564308

by 1newplayer on Nov 4, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for sharing. I am as big of a CP7 fan as anyone, but I think Christian needs to use up some of his available electives in a public speaking class.

He needs to break himself of saying AAHHH and Umm so much. Someone needs to bring this to his attention because he probably doesn’t even realize he is doing it.

Any takers?

It is really nice that this is the only flaw I can find in him, and my only possible criticism of him.

>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em

by FrankDNole on Nov 4, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He is super dreamy though

by RaysnNoles on Nov 4, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He is cute, but he's no Budd Thacker.

>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em

by FrankDNole on Nov 4, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But slap?

by NoleLaw on Nov 4, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DOT is gonna be pissed. Now challenging his shirtless pic monopoly.

>>---l>

by DKfromVA on Nov 4, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did anybody else notice his Freudian slip

“We are all motivated to send Bowden out on a right note”

by RaysnNoles on Nov 5, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He should stay in school.

On the one hand, he has his degree. He’s getting some recognition. He could be concerned about a college injury preventing him from making the big dollars one day.

On the other hand, his whole line is coming back. Next season, he will be on pre-season watch lists. Hello Davey O’Brien. He’ll also get a lot more exposure because the defense will be much better. It can’t get any worse can it? And most of all, Jimbo loves him too much to let him leave. He doesn’t want to be another Everett Brown. His stock is likely to rise substantially if he stays with FSU for another year.

by NoleLaw on Nov 4, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Everett Browns stock wasn't going up by coming back to school. Not a very good comparison.

Everette Brown fell because he had poor coaching and zero technique. The fact that he was a second round pick is a testament to his freakish athletic ability.

Ponder will send his name to the NFL advisory committee and find out where their scouts project him to go. If he’s projected to go late first, early second, I believe he should and will go because he’s smart enough and talented enough to skyrocket up draft boards through individual testing and the interview process. His advanced knowledge of the game, off the charts make-up and overall physical package make him an ideal package.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Nov 4, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs