Three Miami football players were named to the Maxwell Award Watch List announced on Monday. Running back Damien Martinez, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, and quarterback Cam Ward were recognized. Historically, only three Miami players—quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde (1986), Gino Torretta (1992), and Ken Dorsey (2001)—have won the Maxwell Award.
According to MiamiHurricanes.com, “In its 88th year, the Maxwell Award is named in honor of Robert ‘Tiny’ Maxwell, a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.” The College Football News listed all the players on the Maxwell Award Watch List by position.
Martinez transferred to Miami from Oregon State during the offseason, having earned All-Pac-12 honors with the Beavers in 2022 and 2023. He was the 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Rookie of the Year, running for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns, and adding 15 receptions for 187 yards and two scores over two seasons in Corvallis.
Ward threw for 6,963 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, and added 202 rushing yards and 13 scores in two seasons at Washington State. Before that, he 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. He is expected to be the first-team QB and likely ACC Player of the Year when the Preseason All-ACC team is announced. High expectations surround Ward and Miami this season.
Restrepo enters the 2024 season poised to set Miami’s all-time records for receptions and receiving yards. He has 131 receptions for 1,717 yards and 10 touchdowns in his collegiate career. The current Miami records are held by Mike Harley (182 receptions) and Santana Moss (2,546 receiving yards).
With Ward throwing to him, Restrepo could break these records in 2024. 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. Charleston Rambo holds the single-season record with 1,172 receiving yards and 79 receptions, both set in 2021. Restrepo has the potential to surpass these records in 2024. Martinez, Restrepo, and Ward are likely to be named to other preseason watch lists as well.
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