The anticipation for Stanford Football’s 2013 season has continued to mount as five Stanford players were named in the recently released preseason watch lists for two of college football’s coveted awards – the Bednarik Award and the Maxwell Award.

Junior quarterback Kevin Hogan, who is returning for his first full year under center after his success last year as Josh Nunes’ replacement, and senior offensive guard David Yankey — a preseason All-American selection — were named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is annually awarded to the best player in college football. Hogan, who remains undefeated as Stanford’s signal caller, will aim to be the Cardinal’s second quarterback to win the award in three years after Andrew Luck ’12 was the recipient of the award in 2011.

On the other side of the ball, a trio of fifth-year seniors for the Cardinal —linebackers Trent Murphy and Shayne Skov and defensive end Ben Gardner —appeared on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to  the best defensive player in the country. All three defenders were key elements of the stifling defense from last year’s Rose Bowl champion squad and will look to continue their dominance in their final year on The Farm.