Future NFL QB Max Duggan leaves a legacy

Council Bluffs native took TCU, Lewis Central on a great football ride

Max Duggan capped one of the greatest college football seasons ever achieved by an Iowan when he led Texas Christian to a national runner-up finish in the College Football Playoff.

Duggan, a graduate of Council Bluffs Lewis Central, won the Davey O’Brien Award (best college quarterback), took the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (best upperclassman QB), finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting and was a second-team All-American. It’s one of the most accomplished seasons of an Iowa native in more than a century of the sport.

Now he’s off to certain NFL opportunities.

Four seasons after finishing his football career at Council Bluffs Lewis Central, Max Duggan (No. 15) led TCU to the CFP National Championship game. (Photo courtesy TCU Athletics.)

Jim Dermody, the Lewis Central activities director, saw the promise and potential when he coached the redheaded kid in a youth flag football league when Duggan was a third grader.

Imagine if you had seen a young LeBron James first picking up a basketball or Aaron Judge grabbing a bat in Little League.

Duggan put his all into the game, dodging foes and bringing a intense competitiveness to the field.

“I remember how outstanding he was as an athlete,” Dermody said. “He’s had that a long time.”

Duggan went on to earn all-state honors at Lewis Central, where he was a four-year starter under his dad, Jim.

Jim Dermody, Lewis Central’s activities director, saw Duggan’s potential and competitive fire when Max was a third grader. (Photo courtesy Jim Dermody/Lewis Central.)

Texas Christian proved to be a fine fit for Duggan. (And yes, I realize that some Iowa

and Iowa State are still speculating how he would have looked in one of their uniforms.)

National champion Georgia won a lopsided 65-7 game Monday, which capped Duggan’s great career.

He finished with 9,618 yards and 73 touchdowns passing and 1,856 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing in four years as a starter.

Fantastic numbers. He decided to declare for the NFL draft, and has the potential to be something special.

“Max has been a remarkable kid for a long time,” said Dermody, who had a chance to view Duggan on the field for more years than nearly anyone else.