Two Conference USA players are among the preseason candidates for the 2004 Maxwell Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player. Houston sophomore QB Kevin Kolb and Memphis junior RB DeAngelo Williams are C-USA’s representatives on the preseason watch list.

In becoming the first-ever true freshman starting quarterback in UH history, Kolb led the Cougars to their first bowl berth in seven years and was named the 2003 Conference USA Freshman of the Year in the process. He shattered every single Cougar freshman passing mark en route to 3,131 yards and 25 touchdowns throwing the ball.

Kolb completed an astonishing 61.1 percent of his passes (220 of 360) with just six interceptions. Kolb also rushed for 346 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 267.5 yards of total offense per game. All of his passing and total offense numbers were tops nationally among Division I-A freshmen quarterbacks.

All eyes will be on Williams this season as he returns from a torn MCL that held him out of the New Orleans Bowl victory last December. Williams was named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year last season as a sophomore after rushing for 1,430 yards on 243 carries. He ranked fifth nationally in rushing, and led the country in all-purpose yardage. Williams also scored a league-high 13 touchdowns, while setting a new league record with 10 consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

A leader in the classroom, as well, Williams was named to the CoSIDA All-District Academic All-American team and was presented the New Orleans Bowl Scholar-Athlete Award.

Voters for all the Maxwell College Awards include NCAA Head College Football Coaches, Athletic Directors and SIDs, members of the Maxwell Football Club & sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.