NFL draft prognosticators aren't the only ones forecasting big things in the future for the Gophers' Mitch Leidner.
The senior quarterback, projected as a 2017 first-round draft choice a couple of months back by Todd McShay, showed up Tuesday on a preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the college football player of the year.
While it should be noted that this is not really an exclusive list yet — there are 90 players on it, including 33 quarterbacks — it's still nice for Leidner, a much-scrutinized player. He's the only Gophers player to make it onto the list — nor are there any Minnesota players on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given out to the nation's top defensive player.
So at least according to the Maxwell Football Club, Leidner is the Gophers' key player this season.
Maxwell semifinalists will be named Oct. 31, the winner Dec. 8.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. mrand@startribune.com
