The Maxwell Football Club has announced its preseason watch lists for the 82nd annual Maxwell Award and the 24th annual Chuck Bednarik Award with Nevada seniors Ty Gangi and Malik Reed garnering honors.

Gangi is among 85 college football players from around the country to be named to the Maxwell Award watch list, an award given to the nation’s player of the year. Gangi joins three others from the Mountain West on the watch list, including Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien, San Diego State running back Juwan Washington and UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers.

Reed is also among 85 players from around the country to be named to the Bednarik Award watch list, an award given to the nation’s defensive player of the year. Reed joins four others from the Mountain West on the watch list, including Boise State defensive back Tyler Horton, Fresno State linebacker Jeffrey Allison and Wyoming defensive end Carl Granderson and defensive back Andrew Wingard. This is Reed’s second time being named to this watch list after also receiving the honor in 2017.

After being named the starting quarterback to kick off conference play last season, Gangi found his stride and earned an All-Mountain West honorable mention. He racked up 2,746 passing yards in 2017 while throwing for 25 touchdowns, which ranked second in the conference and 27th nationally. Showing off his versatility, Gangi also rushed for 180 yards and four scores.

Reed, who is switching to linebacker from defensive end, earned All-Mountain West first team honors following the 2017 season. He tallied 10 tackles for loss, including eight sacks as he tore up the backfield last year. Reed was also a turnover menace, forcing a total of four fumbles in 2017. He recorded 49 tackles on the season.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced Oct. 29, while the three finalists for each award will be unveiled Nov. 19. The winners of the 2018 Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 6. The formal presentations of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 8.