Three Miami Hurricanes named to preseason watch list for Maxwell Award

College football’s preseason award watch list season has arrived — and it starts with three Miami Hurricanes being named as early contenders for one of the top honors.

Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, running back Damien Martinez and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo on Monday were among the 80 players named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given annually to the best player in college football. Miami and Ohio State were the only schools with three representatives on the list.

Ward, a fifth-year senior, who transferred to Miami after two years at Washington State (following two years before that at FCS Incarnate Word), has thrown for 13,871 yards and 119 touchdowns over his first four seasons of college football. This included 6,963 yards and 48 touchdowns in two years at Washington State.

Martinez, a junior, is entering his first season at Miami after transferring in from Oregon State. The running back has amassed 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons of college football while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Restrepo had a breakout junior season in 2023, leading the Hurricanes with 85 catches, 1,082 yards and six touchdowns. The 85 catches were 18th in college football last season and he was one of 33 players to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 12 and the three finalists for the will be unveiled Nov. 26, with the winner named on Dec. 12.

Three Hurricanes have won the Maxwell Award in school history: Vinny Testaverde in 1986, Gino Torretta in 1992 and Ken Dorsey in 2001.

The National College Football Awards Association will be unveiling preseason watch lists for 15 awards over the next three weeks. The full, day-by-day breakdown for the rest of the awards is as follows:

▪ Tuesday: Outland Trophy (best interior offensive lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player)

▪ Wednesday: Jim Thrope Award (best defensive back)

▪ Thursday: Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) and Wuerffel Trophy (the player who “best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement”)

▪ Friday: Lou Groza Award (best kicker) and Ray Guy Award (best punter)

▪ Aug. 5: Walter Camp Award (player of the year)

▪ Aug. 6: Doak Walker Award (best running back)

▪ Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award (best wide receiver)

▪ Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback)

▪ Aug. 9: Mackey Award (top tight end) and Rimington Trophy (top center)

▪ Aug. 12: Bednarik Award (top defensive player)

▪ Aug. 13: Butkus Award (top linebacker)