Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jaden Harris was named to the Wuerffel Award watch list on Thursday. The Wuerffel Award honors college football players for their community service. The award is named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who played for Florida.
Harris was one of six Miami athletes including his former teammate Michael Redding III to be named to the ACC’s Top Six for Service. After redshirting playing in two games as a freshman in 2022, Harris had seven tackles and a 0.5 tackle for loss in 2023. Entering the 2023 season, Harris could compete to be a starting safety.
Harris was one of 119 players and 16 in the ACC named to the Wuerffel Award Watch list. No Miami player has ever won the Wuerffel Award. Florida State offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons in 2002 was the only ACC player to win the Wuerffel Award's 20-year history. Harris is the sixth Miami player named to a preseason watch list.
Running back Damien Martinez, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo and quarterback Cam Ward were named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa is on the Nagurski Award watch list and tackle Jalen Rivers is on the Outland Trophy watch list.
Miami safety Jaden Harris at Fall camp practice No. 2.https://t.co/Gb0Ij8jsTF pic.twitter.com/91FDyD64SP
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) August 1, 2024
The mission statement says "The Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact, and inspires greater service in the world." Other being named in the ACC's top six for service, there is not much information available about Harris' community service work.
Harris is just one of many Miami football players who have participated in community service. Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo has a youth football team and runs a camp. Former Miami safety Kam Kinchens was also prolific in the community service he was involved in during his Miami career.
Semifinalists and finalists for the Wuerffel Award will be announced throughout the season. Semifinalists will be announced in early November and the finalists will be released later in the month. The winner of the Wuerffel Award will be announced at the ESPN College Football Award show in December.