LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -- UNLV sophomore quarterback Armani Rogers is one of just 85 players in the nation named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which was released by the Maxwell Football Club Monday.
 
The award is given to college football's top player at the end of each season. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield won last year's Maxwell Award. Rogers is one of five players from the Mountain West on this year's watch list and one of just 13 sophomores overall.
 
The first Rebel included on the annual list since wide receiver Devante Davis was heading into his senior season in 2014, Rogers (6-5, 225) was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year last fall. Ranked the No. 38 overall quarterback in college football by Phil Steele's, Rogers was one of only five players in the nation last year who averaged at least 140 yards passing per game and 75 yards rushing per game, joining Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Quinton Flowers (USF), Nick Fitzgerald (Mississippi State) and Khalil Tate (Arizona).
 
Despite an injury limiting him to nine starts behind center, Rogers broke the program record for both rushing yards in a season by a freshman and rushing yards in a season by a quarterback with 780. He also shattered the school record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 193 in a victory at New Mexico en route to ranking 64th in the nation in rushing with 78.0 yards per game. He also passed for 1,471 yards and six touchdowns.
 
The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. The watch list candidates were chosen by the Maxwell Football Club's selection committee, which analyzes both past performance and future potential. All members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA sports information directors, FBS head coaches and selected national media are eligible to vote for the awards.
 
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Oct. 29 while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 19. The winners of the award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held Dec. 6, with the formal presentation taking place March 8, 2019.
 
UNLV opens its season September 1 at USC. The home opener is September 8 vs. UTEP. Season tickets are on sale now starting at only $99 for all six home games. Three-game and group ticket packages are also available with Eat All You Can Plans for as low as $79 per ticket. UNLV has also introduced the Better Seats Promise. Ticket plan holders are guaranteed better seats than single-game purchasers. Other season ticket packages include faculty & staff, alumni and groups. To learn more or to purchase tickets, please visit UNLVtickets.com or call 702-739-FANS (3267). Parking is free at Sam Boyd Stadium for Rebel football games. Season ticket holders will receive priority access for seating at Rebel games inside Las Vegas Stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2020.