Jaheim White Named to Prestigious Maxwell Award Watch List

West Virginia’s star running back Jaheim White has been nominated to the Maxwell Award Watch List ahead of the 2025 season, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club Monday.

The award is given to the best all around football player each season, as voted by media members and head coaches. It is named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, who was a famous sports writer and football official.

Maxwell Award Watch List selection, 𝐉𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐦 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞

⭐️ @JahiemWhite_305 pic.twitter.com/kb21VQEta3

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) July 28, 2025

White was one of 13 players from the Big 12 Conference named to the list, and the only player from WVU. He has also been named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference First Team by Athlon Sports and the Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team by Lindy’s and Phil Steele.

White finished 2024 having played in all 13 games with 11 starts. He led the Mountaineers in rushing yards with 844 yards and seven touchdowns. PFF listed White at No. 10 on their list of the best running backs who decided to stay with their school instead of hitting the transfer portal or exiting for the NFL Draft.

In 2023, White caught the attention of fans with an impressive freshman season. He had 842 rushing yards with four touchdowns and 125 receiving yards with two touchdowns, including a game-winning score against Baylor in the regular season finale.

WVU running back Jahiem White celebrates a touchdown during the 2024 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

The junior running back suffered an injury in the 2024 Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. Head Coach Rich Rodriguez has high praise for White, but wanted to let him rest until he is fully healthy.

“I think Jahiem’s is a proven guy. We know what his ability is, he just hasn’t got a lot of reps in our system,” Rodriguez said in a press conference on March 25. “So, we’re hopeful over the next few practices he can learn the system. I’m not worried about him getting tackled or doing anything live, I just want him to learn the stuff and when he’s 100% healthy, he’ll be in.”

The WVU Football season will begin at 2 p.m. August 30 when the Mountaineers host Robert Morris University at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Find more coverage of Jahiem White and WVU Football at WV Sports Now.