Northwestern University Athletics
Thorson, Fisher & Gaziano Named to Preseason Watch Lists
7/16/2018 9:08:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — The Maxwell Football club announced its watch lists for the 82nd annual Maxwell Award and 24th annual Chuck Bednarik Award Monday.
Senior quarterback Clayton Thorson was on the Maxwell Award watch list, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, given to American's College Player of the Year since 1937.
The Bednarik Award watch list, given annually to the nation's top defensive player, featured junior defensive end Joe Gaziano and sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher.
Thorson enters his senior campaign as the program's all-time leader in wins with 27. A two-time All-Big Ten honoree, Thorson is the program's all-time leader with 44 touchdown passes and ranks second in completions (692) and passing yards (7,548) and is fourth in completion percentage (.600). The #HOMEGROWN product was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List in 2017 in addition to watch lists for the Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards.
Gaziano enters his junior campaign already ranked ninth in program history with 13.5 career sacks after leading the Big Ten with a career-high nine last season. He set career highs in 2017 in tackles (36), solo tackles (24), assisted tackles (12), tackles for loss (12.5), forced fumbles (4), quarterback hurries (12) and pass breakups (5) to earn All-Big Ten second team honors. Gaziano became just the fifth sophomore since 2005 to lead the Big Ten in sacks.
Fisher burst onto the scene in 2017 by leading all first-year players in tackles (113) and solo tackles (65) to earn Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America. A Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree, Fisher was the only Power 5 player in the country to post two games with 18-plus tackles and also led the Big Ten and ranked seventh nationally with four forced fumbles during the regular season. Fisher was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the Big Ten Network and finished the season ranked fourth in the league in tackles.
Northwestern wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 24-23 victory over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl to earn its second-straight bowl victory for the first time in program history. The Wildcats return seven starters on offense and defense, including All-Big Ten honorees Clayton Thorson, Tommy Doles, Paddy Fisher, Joe Gaziano, Nate Hall, Samdup Miller and Charlie Kuhbander.
Chicago's Big Ten Team features the best home schedule in the nation in 2018 with Ryan Field playing host to Duke, Akron, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Notre Dame. Season ticket information is available at NUSports.com and by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
Senior quarterback Clayton Thorson was on the Maxwell Award watch list, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, given to American's College Player of the Year since 1937.
The Bednarik Award watch list, given annually to the nation's top defensive player, featured junior defensive end Joe Gaziano and sophomore linebacker Paddy Fisher.
Thorson enters his senior campaign as the program's all-time leader in wins with 27. A two-time All-Big Ten honoree, Thorson is the program's all-time leader with 44 touchdown passes and ranks second in completions (692) and passing yards (7,548) and is fourth in completion percentage (.600). The #HOMEGROWN product was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List in 2017 in addition to watch lists for the Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards.
Gaziano enters his junior campaign already ranked ninth in program history with 13.5 career sacks after leading the Big Ten with a career-high nine last season. He set career highs in 2017 in tackles (36), solo tackles (24), assisted tackles (12), tackles for loss (12.5), forced fumbles (4), quarterback hurries (12) and pass breakups (5) to earn All-Big Ten second team honors. Gaziano became just the fifth sophomore since 2005 to lead the Big Ten in sacks.
Fisher burst onto the scene in 2017 by leading all first-year players in tackles (113) and solo tackles (65) to earn Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America. A Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree, Fisher was the only Power 5 player in the country to post two games with 18-plus tackles and also led the Big Ten and ranked seventh nationally with four forced fumbles during the regular season. Fisher was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the Big Ten Network and finished the season ranked fourth in the league in tackles.
Northwestern wrapped up the 2017 campaign with a 24-23 victory over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl to earn its second-straight bowl victory for the first time in program history. The Wildcats return seven starters on offense and defense, including All-Big Ten honorees Clayton Thorson, Tommy Doles, Paddy Fisher, Joe Gaziano, Nate Hall, Samdup Miller and Charlie Kuhbander.
Chicago's Big Ten Team features the best home schedule in the nation in 2018 with Ryan Field playing host to Duke, Akron, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Notre Dame. Season ticket information is available at NUSports.com and by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Players Mentioned
A Day in the Life with Marcus Romain | Northwestern Football
Friday, May 01
Football - Caleb Tiernan Draft Night Press Conference (4/24/26)
Saturday, April 25
Jerry Neuheisel MIC'D UP | Northwestern Football
Friday, April 10
Football - Players Pro Day Media Availability (Beerntsen, Stone, Tiernan)
Tuesday, March 17
