Pitt Lands Two Players on Prestigious Award Watch List

Outside of the Heisman Trophy, one of the most prestigious individual awards in college football a player can win is the Maxwell Award — given annually since 1937 to the most outstanding collegiate player of the year.

Pitt has landed two players on the preseason watch list for the award in 2025 with quarterback Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid.

Maxwell Award 🏆 Watch List

Eli Holstein » @eli_holstein10 🎯
Desmond Reid » @fastboidez 💨

The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

📰 https://t.co/JtoLsffNHu#H2P » @MaxwellFootball pic.twitter.com/zM37Hy3u4e

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) July 28, 2025

The last time a Pitt Panther won the award was Hugh Green in 1980 and the only other player in program history to take home the honor was Tony Dorsett four years earlier in 1976.

Holstein and Reid are looking to join elite company as they return together in a Pitt offense that started last season 7-0.

Last year, Holstein started in 10 games — missing three due to injury — and completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,228 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He rushed for 328 yards and three scores as well.

Holstein’s first five games of the season saw him put together an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio as he tossed 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Week five times and threw for a Pitt freshman-record 381 yards at North Carolina. He totaled four 300-plus yard games through the air during that stretch and was instrumental in late comeback wins against Cincinnati and West Virginia.

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein handing the ball off to running back Desmond Reid. March 13, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

For Reid, he compiled an all-purpose All-American campaign as a junior for the Panthers.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Reid thrived in Kade Bell’s offense after transferring with him from Western Carolina. He rushed for 962 yards and five touchdowns, including a long of 72 yards against Cal, as well as 52 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns.

In his first season in the Power Four, Reid earned all-purpose Second Team All-America honors and First Team All-ACC recognition. He finished fifth in the country with 154.91 all-purpose yards per game.

He has already earned preseason First-Team All-American honors from Phil Steele.