Noah Barnes, Javon Leake latest Maryland football players on preseason watch lists

Two more Maryland football players are on preseason award watch lists, as Noah Barnes and Javon Leake were selected on Thursday.

Barnes, a junior tight end, was selected to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for his community service efforts within the Maryland community. Named after former Florida Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the award is “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service.” The two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree has worked for Habitat for Humanity, the Food Recovery Network, food banks in Detroit and College Park, the National Institute of Health, The McNair Foundation and Best Buddies of Maryland.

Leake, a junior running back and kick returner, was named to the 2019 Paul Hornung Award watch list, awarded to the most versatile player in major college football. Leake is one of 44 players across the nation on the list and one of eight from the Big Ten. Leake led the Terps with seven rushing touchdowns and 409 kickoff return yards in 2018. He will be one of several backs that the Terps will feature this upcoming season.

The Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 5, finalists on Nov. 18 and the winner at a ceremony on December 10. The Hornung Award winner will be announced March 4, 2020.

In other news

Former Terps star midfielder Gordon Wild was signed by D.C. United after being waived by Atlanta United FC on July 17. He made his D.C. debut Wednesday night, getting an assist in an 8-1 losing effort against Olympique Marseille.

Also on Wednesday, Maryland baseball’s Maxwell Costes was named Player of the Night in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League after hitting four home runs in a doubleheader for the Amsterdam Mohawks. Costes broke the PGCBL record for most home runs in a season with 11 already this year.

We continue Linebackers Week as Lila looked at two transfers who are planning on making a big impact in the 2019 season, Shaq Smith and Keandre Jones.

Stefon Diggs was named the 73rd-best player in the NFL on its countdown of the top 100 players in the league.

Ludwig Field made an appearance as one of the 11 best places to watch college soccer, according to NCAA.com.