A pair of quarterbacks from the state of Michigan lead the preseason Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Award watch lists.

Michigan State’s Connor Cook and Michigan’s Devin Gardner are among those named to the watch list for the 78th annual award, which goes to the College Playear of the Year.

The Bednarik Award, which is in its 20th year, goes to the defensive player of the year.

The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell, has been given to America’s College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell’s contributions to the game of football were extensive, including as a player, a sportswriter and an official. The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of ‘69 and the NFL Hall of Fame’s Class of 1967.

Returning Maxwell Award semifinalists from 2013 include Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty and returning Maxwell Award finalist Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston.

The Seminoles have placed three players on the list, as running back Karlos Williams and wide receiver Rashad Greene join Winston. Three athletes also represent Baylor, Oregon, and USC, but Alabama leads the pack with four.

The Chuck Bednarik Award watch list features three of last season’s semifinalists, Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and USC defensive end Leonard Williams.

Georgia landed three linebackers on the list: Leonard Floyd, Jordan Jenkins, and Ramik Wilson.

And despite Stanford losing four of its best defensive players to the NFL Draft, the Cardinal still leads all teams with four players represented.

Last season, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald both made history by becoming the first players from their schools to ever win the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Award, respectively.

McCarron was drafted in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Bengals, while Aaron Donald was taken No. 13 overall by the St. Louis Rams, where he will join one of the NFL’s elite defensive lines.

Also on the list are Michigan tight end Devin Funchess, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson and Michigan State running back Jeremy Langford.