University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Heintschel Named to Maxwell Award Watch List
8/3/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel has been named to the preseason watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.
The Maxwell Award has recognized college football's outstanding player since 1937. It is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a former Swarthmore College standout who later became a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Heintschel established himself as one of college football's most productive young quarterbacks during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound native of Oregon, Ohio, completed 201-of-316 passes (63.6%) for 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding two scores on the ground. Pitt went 6-3 in games he started.
A semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, Heintschel was also named ACC Quarterback of the Week once and ACC Rookie of the Week twice. He surpassed 300 passing yards four times and threw at least three touchdown passes in three games.
Heintschel became the first true freshman since Florida State's Jameis Winston in 2013 to produce at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in three of his first six career games.
His signature performance came against NC State, when he became the first Pitt quarterback since Kenny Pickett in 2021 to throw for 400 yards in a game. Heintschel was also the first ACC freshman in the past 30 seasons to pass for 400 yards and three touchdowns in a contest.
That performance included an 84-yard touchdown pass, tying the longest completion by a Pitt player at Acrisure Stadium and the fourth-longest in program history.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 10, followed by the unveiling of three finalists on Nov. 24. The winner will be announced Dec. 10 during ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards show.
The award will be formally presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13, 2027, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta.
Founded in 1935, the Maxwell Football Club is the oldest football organization of its kind in the United States. The club recognizes excellence at the high school, collegiate and professional levels while supporting programs focused on academics, volunteerism and leadership.
For more information about the Maxwell Football Club and the Maxwell Award, visit maxwellfootballclub.org.
