Preseason Award watch lists will be released on July 30 beginning with the Maxwell Award honoring the best All-Around player in college football. Quarterback Cam Ward is likely to be the first of several Miami football players to appear on preseason watch lists with the release of the Maxwell Ward.
Mon., July 29:Â Maxwell Award–Ward was named to multiple preseason watch lists since transferring to Washington State from FCS Incarnate Word during the 2022 offseason. Ward has been on the Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List and should be expected to be on it again in 2024.
Tue. July 30:Â Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy–Â The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best interior lineman and the Nagurski Award honors the best defensive player. Miami left tackle Jalen Rivers, center Zach Carpenter and defensive linemen Rueben Bain and Tyler Baron are players to watch for the Outland Watch list.
Bain, Baron and middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa all have the potential to be named to the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy. It would be shocking if Bain and Mauigoa are not on the Nagurski watch list and several others that will be discussed below.
We will roll out our 16 preseason award watch lists over 12 weekdays beginning Mon., July 29. Here is the complete calendar. pic.twitter.com/BbyDTOSmIZ
— NCFAA (@ncfaa) May 28, 2024
Wed., July 31: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award- Miami cornerbacks Damari Brown and Daryl Porter Jr. would be the most likely Miami defensive backs to be named to the Thorpe Award Watch List. Safety Mishael Powell is another possibility. At this point do not expect any Miami DBs on the preseason watch list for the Thorpe.
Thu., Aug. 1:Â Paul Hornung Award/Wuerffel Trophy-The Hornung Award honors versatile high-level performers. The Wuerffel Trophy is for the “most impactful leaders in community service.” It’s unlikely that any Miami players will be on the preseason watch list for the Hornung Award. The Wuerffel Trophy is harder to gauge.
Fri., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award-The Groza Award honors the best kicker nationally and the Ray Guy Award is for the best punter. Andres Borregales is attempting to match his brother Jose who won the Groza Award with Miami in 2020. Dylan Joyce could be on the Guy Award watch list after being a 2023 freshman All-American
The Hurricanes loaded up through the portal👀 pic.twitter.com/06bFijRJtG
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 23, 2024
Mon., Aug. 5: Walter Camp Award-The Camp Award honors the Player of the Year. As a top 10 Heisman Trophy Candidate in 2024, Ward is likely to begin the season on the Camp Award watch list. Ward is on the radar for the Camp Award after they honored him as a player of the week in September 2023.
Tue., Aug. 6: Doak Walker Award-The Walker Award honors the best running back nationally. Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez is a near-lock to be named to the Walker Award preseason watch list. Martinez was a semifinalist for the Walker Award in 2023 and twice earned first-team All-Pac 12.
Wed., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award-The Biletnikoff Award honors the best wide receiver. Xavier Restrepo is a lock for the Biletnikoff preseason watch list. Jacolby George is a long shot, but he could potentially be on the preseason watch list. After his record setting 2023 season, Restrepo should challenge for the 2024 Biletnikoff Award.
Thu., Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award-The O’Brien Award honors the best QB. Ward seems even more likely to be on the preseason watch list for the O’Brien than the Camp Award. Ward enters the 2024 season and is projected as one of the best players and QBs nationally. Expect Ward to be a first-team preseason All-ACC.
Miami WR Xavier Restrepo last season:
🙌 85 Receptions
🙌 1,102 Yards
🙌 6 Touchdowns
🙌 14 Missed Tackles Forced
🙌 89.0 Receiving Grade pic.twitter.com/VwAHvP3MMz— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 5, 2024
Fri., Aug. 9: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy-The Mackey Award honors the best tight end and the Rimington goes to the best center in college football. Miami is not likely to have anyone on the Mackey Award Watch list. Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter could be on the Rimington Award watch list.
Mon., Aug. 12: Bednarik Award-The Bednarik Award is given to the best defensive player in college football by the Maxwell Club in Philadelphia. Bain and Mauigoa should both be on the Bednarik Award watch list.
Tue., Aug. 13: Butkus Award-The Butkus Award is given to the best LB in college football by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando. After earning second-team All-ACC and leading the conference in tackles for loss in 2023, Mauigoa is a near lock to be on the Butkus Award preseason watch list.
Miami has the potential for at least one national award winner in 2024. Bain, Mauigoa, Restrepo and Ward should all compete to be All-Americans in 2024. Martinez at the least should compete to be 2024 All-ACC. Miami has the roster to have its best season since 2017 in 2024.
