Mizzou Football: Brady Cook and Luther Burden Named to Maxwell Award Watchlist

Mizzou football players recognized in preseason Maxwell watchlist
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA;  Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) takes a photo with Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) takes a photo with Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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Missouri football has a lot to look forward to in 2024, but nothing shows more promise than their duo of QB1 and WR1. Things are starting to change in Columbia, and it's led by two kids from St. Louis. Last season, Brady Cook and Luther Burden helped lead the 2023 Tigers to a 11-2 record, capped off by a victory in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.

After the remarkable season, both Cook and Burden have been gaining national media traction throughout the off-season. The star-studded duo is ready to come back stronger in 2024. Most recently, both were recognized on the Maxwell Award watchlist, which came out Monday.

The Maxwell Award has been ongoing since 1935. Every year, the Maxwell Football Club honors the country's best offensive college football player. It is voted on by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and NCAA head coaches.

Brady Cook and Luther Burden were among the 80 athletes named to the preseason watchlist for the award. Both have legitimate cases, and should be viewed as serious contenders to take home this hardware. Here's the case for each of them.

Brady Cook

Cook has been the most important piece to this Missouri football team throughout his tenure in Columbia. The fifth-year senior mentioned during SEC Media Days that he was able to learn a ton from his first two years as the backup. He'll be heading into his third year as the starter after seeing significant growth over his time at Mizzou.

Last season, Cook had a career best 3,317 passing yards, recording over 200-yards in nine different games. The 6-foot-2 quarterback also ran for 319 yards, adding an impressive eight touchdowns on the ground. With one of the best receiving groups in the country, Cook figures to be in line for another spectacular season in 2024.

Luther Burden

It's no surprise that Burden cracked this preseason watchlist. Heading into his junior season, it will certainly be his last with the Tigers. The 5-foot-11 receiver is expected to be towards the top of his draft class. Burden has been so fantastic that I'm beginning to run out of superlatives to describe his greatness.

The future NFL star will be looking to really make a name for himself in 2024. In his sophomore season, Burden led the team in receptions (86), receiving yards (1,212), and touchdown receptions (9). It will be a joy to watch Burden and Cook come back even stronger this season with another year of chemistry under their belts.

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