Auburn A-Day 2015: Jeremy Johnson

Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson drops back to pass during the first half of the spring A-Day game Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/ jbennett@al.com)

(JULIE BENNETT)

Quarterback Jeremy Johnson and receiver D'haquille Williams are among the 80 players named to the Maxwell Award watch list.

Auburn senior linebacker Cassanova McKinzy is one of the 80 players named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday morning.

After serving as Nick Marshall's backup for two years, Johnson enters his junior season as Auburn's starting quarterback. The Montgomery native threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Williams is coming off a 2014 season in which he had 45 receptions for 730 yards and five touchdowns.

Marshall and former Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates were named to the Maxwell watch list last year.

The Maxwell Award, which is in its 79th year of existence, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937 while the Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995.

Marcus Mariota won last year's Maxwell Award and Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III was last year's Bednarik Award recipient.

The Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be presented during the Home Depot College Football Awards at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Dec. 10.