Four Miami football players named to Maxwell and Bednarik Watch lists

Four Miami football players have been named to the watch lists for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Award honoring the Nation’s College Football Player of the Year and College Defensive Player of the Year.

Wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and running back Travis Homer were the Miami football players named to the Maxwell Award Watch list. Linebacker Shaq Quarterman and Safety Jaquan Johnson are on the watch list for the Bednarik Award.

Richards is hoping to turn around what was an injured filled 2017 season. His numbers in receptions and receiving yards were about half of what they were during his record-setting 2016 Freshman year. Richards played in only seven of the 13 scheduled Miami football games in 2017.

Scouts have commented on the huge upside that Richards brings to the field. He has also been mentioned on All-ACC teams and some All-American teams, as well as ranked among the best receivers in the country.

Homer had an exceptional season in 2017 when you consider he didn’t start until the fifth game of the season. He ran for 966 yards and eight touchdowns and added another 18 receptions for 219 yards and another touchdown. Homer was also an ace special teams player added three tackles on the coverage units.

The Maxwell Award has been given out since 1937 to the Nation’s Best College Football player. Maxwell was a college football player, official and sportswriter.

Bednarik was one of the last two way players in the NFL at center and linebacker. He played in college at Pennsylvania and professionally with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Johnson was voted the Miami football MVP following the 2017 season. He led Miami with 54 solo tackles, 42 assists and 96 total tackles. Johnson also led the Miami football team with three forced fumbles.

The Hurricanes defensive leader tied for the Miami team lead with four interceptions, one interception return for a touchdown and two fumble recoveries. Being named to the Bednarik Watch list was one of several honors that Johnson has received in the College Football preseason.

Quarterman was third on Miami in tackles as a Freshman in 2016 and second behind Johnson last season. He had 43 solo tackles and 40 assists for 83 total. Quarterman also added seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five passed defended and one fumble recovery.

All four players have accomplished a lot in their Miami careers. This is definitely Johnson’s last go around as a Senior. He has said he returned to Miami to win a championship. Homer, Quarterman and Richards are all Juniors. They can leave for the NFL following the 2018 season or chose to return as Seniors for 2019.

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Miami has had three Maxwell Award winners and one Bednarik Award winner. Miami quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde in 1986, Gino Torretta in 1992 and Ken Dorsey in 2001 won the Maxwell Award. Linebacker Dan Morgan in 2002 is the Hurricanes only winner of the Bednarik Award.