IU learned last season how crucial senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld was when he missed the second half of the season with a shoulder injury.

IU lost five of its final six games.

As the 2015-16 season approaches, the nation may be keeping an eye on Sudfeld as the returning quarterback was named 79th annual Maxwell Award watch list Tuesday. The award is named after Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell and is given to the America’s College Football Player of the Year.

Sudfeld is attempting to complete his first full season as the primary quarterback for the Hoosiers. He split time with now-Illinois State quarterback Tre Roberson during his sophomore season and suffered the aforementioned injury last season to cut his time short.

Before his injury last fall, Sudfeld threw for 1,151 yards and six touchdowns in five and a half games. He is currently second all-time in IU history in completion percentage, fifth in passing touchdowns with 34 and eighth in passing yardage with 4,377.

Semifinalists for the award will be named Nov. 2, and three finalists will be named Nov. 23. The winner will be named during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show Dec. 10. It will be a part of the 22-award show.

Brody Miller

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