3 Miami football players named to Maxwell Award Watch List

Running back Damien Martinez, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo and quarterback Cam Ward were all named to the Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday. Quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde in 1986, Gino Torretta in 1992 and Ken Dorsey in 2001 are the only Miami football players to win the Maxwell Award.

Per MiamiHurricanes.Com "In its 88th year, the Maxwell Award is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official." The College Football News published all of the players on the Maxwell Award Watch list by position.

Martinez transferred to Miami from Oregon State during the offseason after earning All Pac-12 with the Beavers in 2022 and 2023. Martinez was the 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Rookie of the Year. In two seasons in Corvallis, Martinez ran for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns and had 15 receptions for 187 yards and another two scores.

Ward threw for 6,963 48 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with 202 rushing yards and another 13 scores in two seasons at Washington State. Before transferring to Washington State in 2022, Ward played two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

Ward was named Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 in both of his seasons at Washington State. When the Preseason All-ACC team is announced later this week, expect Ward to be the first-team QB and likely ACC Player of the Year. Expectations are high for Ward and Miami this season.

Restrepo enters the 2024 season on pace to set the all-time Miami records for receptions and receiving yards. Restrepo has 131 receptions for 1,717 receiving yards and 10 TDs during his collegiate career. Mike Harley holds the Miami record with 182 receptions. Santana Moss' 2,546 receiving yards is first in Miami history.

With Restrepo catching passes from Ward in 2024 he should set the all-time program records for receptions and receiving yards. Restrepo set the Miami single-season record with 85 receptions and his 1,092 receiving yards tied Andre Johnson for the fifth most in a season for Miami.

Charleston Rambo holds the Miami single-season record with 1,172 receiving yards in 2021. Rambo previously held the Miami single-season record with 79 receptions, also in 2021. Restrepo has a chance to break both Miami records in 2024. Martinez, Restrepo and Ward should be named to other preseason watch lists.