Wyoming junior running back Brian Hill has been named to the 2016 Maxwell Award Watch List, which is presented to the Collegiate Player of the Year.

Hill is one of the top returning players in the country for 2016. He finished last year ranked No. 8 in nation in average rushing yards per game at 135.9. His 1,631 total rushing yards was a single-season Cowboy football record and good for 9th in the country. Hill also finished at No. 13 in average all-purpose yards per game at 146.9. He enters his junior season already fifth on the all-time career rushing yards list at UW with 2,427. Hill needs only 537 yards to break the school record of 2,963 held by Devin Moore, who competed for the Pokes from 2005-08.

Hill is one of five players from the Mountain West on the 2016 Watch List. Air Force running back Jacobi Owens, Boise State running back Jeremy McNichols and quarterback Brett Rypien and San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey also made the list.

This the 80th year for the Maxwell Award, which was first presented in 1937. The award is presented in honor of Robert W. (Tiny) Maxwell, legendary college player, official and sports columnist.

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