The Big 12 placed eight standouts on the watch list for the 84^th Maxwell Award presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.
 
Quarterbacks Charlie Brewer (Baylor) and Sam Ehlinger (Texas) along with running back Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma State) are candidates after being named semifinalists for the award in 2019. They are joined by QB Brock Purdy (Iowa State), RB Pooka Williams (Kansas), QB Skylar Thompson (Kansas State), WR Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State), and QB Max Duggan (TCU).
 
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced November 3, 2020, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 23, 2020. The winner of the 2020 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2020. 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 12, 2021.