University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Football’s Minicucci Named to 2026 Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
8/3/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
PHILADELPHIA – University of Delaware football QB Nick Minicucci has been named to the 2026 Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, who was a former standout at Swarthmore College, a renowned sportswriter, and football official.
Minicucci is the first in program history to make the Maxwell Watch List and one of two players from Conference USA to be placed on the prestigious list (Jax State QB Caden Creel).
This continues a busy preseason of awards for the senior signal caller, also being named Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Preseason First Team All-CUSA by Athlon Sports, Preseason Second Team All-CUSA by Phil Steele, and earning a spot on the Conference USA Preseason Watch List.
Minicucci, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection and 68 Ventures Bowl Offensive MVP, spearheaded a Fightin' Blue Hen offense that finished with a bowl win in its first FBS season. In 2025, Minicucci led CUSA in passing yards (3,683), completions (322), attempts (512), passing yards/game (283.3), total offense (3,918), and total offense per game (301.4). He connected with 10+ receivers in seven games, eight or more in 10 of 13 games, and seven in all 12 regular season games. On the ground, the signal caller tied for fourth in the conference with 10 rushing touchdowns. Minicucci became the second QB in program history with 20 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs (first since 1969). He ranked among the nation's best in passing yards (sixth), pass yards per game (eighth), total yards (eighth), and total yards per game (ninth).
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 10, 2026, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled November 24, 2026. The winner of the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2026. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware Football season tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Minicucci is the first in program history to make the Maxwell Watch List and one of two players from Conference USA to be placed on the prestigious list (Jax State QB Caden Creel).
This continues a busy preseason of awards for the senior signal caller, also being named Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Preseason First Team All-CUSA by Athlon Sports, Preseason Second Team All-CUSA by Phil Steele, and earning a spot on the Conference USA Preseason Watch List.
Minicucci, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection and 68 Ventures Bowl Offensive MVP, spearheaded a Fightin' Blue Hen offense that finished with a bowl win in its first FBS season. In 2025, Minicucci led CUSA in passing yards (3,683), completions (322), attempts (512), passing yards/game (283.3), total offense (3,918), and total offense per game (301.4). He connected with 10+ receivers in seven games, eight or more in 10 of 13 games, and seven in all 12 regular season games. On the ground, the signal caller tied for fourth in the conference with 10 rushing touchdowns. Minicucci became the second QB in program history with 20 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs (first since 1969). He ranked among the nation's best in passing yards (sixth), pass yards per game (eighth), total yards (eighth), and total yards per game (ninth).
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 10, 2026, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled November 24, 2026. The winner of the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2026. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
TICKET INFORMATION
Get your 2026 Delaware Football season tickets now by visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Fightin' Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballFriday, December 19
Saturday, November 29
Monday, November 24
Tuesday, November 18
