PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — University of Hawai'i quarterback Micah Alejado has been named to the watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award, presented annually to the outstanding player in college football.

The sophomore quarterback, who was also named the Preseason Mountain West Player of the Year in July, is among a group of 81 players nationwide selected to the 2026 preseason watch list

Alejado becomes the fifth UH quarterback all-time to earn a spot on the Maxwell Award Watch List. He joins a historic lineage of Rainbow Warrior signal callers that includes Brayden Schager (2024), Cole McDonald (2019), Bryant Moniz (2011), and Colt Brennan (2007).

In his 2025 breakout redshirt freshman season at Hawai'i, Alejado threw for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns across 11 games. The 24 touchdown passes set new UH and conference single-season marks for a freshman. Alejado is one of six Mountain West players, three of whom are quarterbacks, named to this year's watch list.

The Maxwell Award has been presented to College Football's Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a former Swarthmore College standout, sportswriter, and football official.

Semifinalists for the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced on Nov. 10, with the three finalists unveiled on Nov. 24. The winner will be announced live as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10, 2026. The formal presentation will take place at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 13, 2027, at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.

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