FSU’s Robinson, Georgia Tech’s Haynes land on Maxwell Watch List

Staff Reports

Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson and Georgia Tech running back Justice Haynes took the first step toward one of college football’s most prestigious individual honors Monday, earning spots on the preseason watch list for the 2026 Maxwell Award.

Presented annually since 1937, the Maxwell Award recognizes the nation’s outstanding college football player. Semifinalists will be announced Nov. 10, finalists will be revealed Nov. 24, and the winner will be honored during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.

Robinson enters his senior season after one of the most productive years by a receiver in recent Florida State history.

The Phoenix native earned first-team All-ACC honors and was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist after catching 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. He became the Seminoles’ first 1,000-yard receiver since 2019 and recorded just the 14th 1,000-yard receiving season in program history.

Robinson ranked ninth nationally in receiving yards during the regular season while averaging 19.3 yards per catch. His five 120-yard receiving games were the most among Power Four receivers and the most by a Florida State player since 2014.

He also led the ACC with 17 receptions of at least 20 yards, 12 catches of 30 yards or more and six receptions of at least 40 yards. Robinson averaged an ACC-best 102.8 receiving yards per conference game and was named ACC Receiver of the Week twice.

Off the field, Robinson became Florida State’s first first-team Academic All-American since 2012. He was also selected to the preseason All-ACC team and is a nominee for the Good Works Team entering the 2026 season.

Georgia Tech’s representative on the watch list is one of college football’s most intriguing newcomers.

Haynes transferred home to the Yellow Jackets after rushing for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns in only seven games at Michigan last season. The former Buford High School standout averaged 7.1 yards per carry and 122.4 rushing yards per game, leading the Big Ten in rushing average while falling just short of qualifying for the NCAA statistical rankings because of the number of games played.

Haynes topped the 100-yard mark six times in seven games for the Wolverines.

Including two seasons at Alabama before transferring to Michigan, the senior has rushed for 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry over his collegiate career.

Georgia Tech had a Maxwell Award semifinalist last season in quarterback Haynes King, who also earned Maxwell National Player of the Week honors twice.

Florida State opens its season Aug. 29 against New Mexico State, while Haynes is expected to make his Georgia Tech debut Sept. 3 when the Yellow Jackets host Colorado in a nationally televised opener.