The Miami Hurricanes' 2025 season ended at home, at Hard Rock Stadium, in the National Championship game, falling short to the Indiana Hoosiers, after defeating Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, before the season ended on a Carson Beck interception.
Now the Canes are back as they look to right the wrongs of last season with a better roster and a clear mindset.
Moreover, during the 2026 season, the Hurricanes could be adding more to their historic list of award winners, as more are being named to the watchlist as the season quickly approaches.
Miami has three Heisman-level players on its roster, along with other coaches and players who can be award-winning players.
One to keep a close eye on is Malachi Toney, who could be the first Hurricane to ever win the Biletnikoff Award if he follows up his All-American freshman season with a better one. The same could also be said about Mario Cristobal and many of his coaching staff.
Here is a watchlist tracker of what awards a few Hurricanes are up for this season:
Dodd Trophy
(Annual Coach of the Year award given to the Division I coach whose team excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community)
Watch List: Mario Cristobal named to watch list on July 9
No previous winners
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
(The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honors student-athletes who use their platforms to strengthen their communities and support causes important to them.)
Watch List: Ahmad Moten Sr. named to watch list on July 20
During the fall semester, Moten completed 65 hours of community service with the Branches After School program. Branches is a Miami nonprofit that partners with families to build educational and financial assets, strengthen communities and foster hope.
No previous winners
Maxwell Award
(The Maxwell Award has recognized the most outstanding player in college football annually since 1937.)
Watch List: Darian Mensah, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher Jr. listed on August 3
Previous Winners: Vinny Testaverde, Gino Torretta, and Ken Dorsey
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club, is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.
Watchlist: DB Bryce Fitzgerald, DL Ahmad Moten Sr., DE Damon Wilson II
Previous Winners: Warren Sapp, 1994 | Dan Morgan, 2000
Paul Hornung Award
(Presented by Texas Roadhouse, the Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in college football.)
Watchlist: Malachi Toney
No previous winners
Jim Thorpe Award
Nation's top defensive back
Watchlist: Bryce Fitzgerald
Previous Winners: Bennie Blades
Walter Camp Award
(The watch list will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists in early November, with three finalists announced in early December. The 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year will be selected by the nation's 138 FBS head coaches and sports information directors and announced during the second week of December.)
Watchlist: Darian Mensah, Malachi Toney, Mark Fletcher Jr.
Previous Winners: Gino Torretta (1992) Vinny Testaverde (1986)
Biletnikoff Award
(The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes college football's outstanding receiver at any position, where any player who catches a pass is eligible for the award; Miami is one of nine programs tied for the most Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list selections.)
Watchlist: Malachi Toney, Cooper Barkate
No previous winners
Davey O'Brien Award
(Mensah is one of 30 quarterbacks selected to the preseason list for the award, which is presented annually to the nation's top college quarterback.)
Watchlist: Darian Mensah
Previous Winners: Gino Torretta (1992) Vinny Testaverde (1986), Cam Ward (2024)
Bednarik Award
The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
Watchlist: Ahmad Moten Sr. and Damon Wilson II
Manning Award:
(Created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only major quarterback award that considers postseason performance when selecting its winner.)
Watchlist: Darian Mensah
SHAUN ALEXANDER FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:
(The Shaun Alexander Award has recognized college football's outstanding freshman since 2018. The honor is named for former Alabama running back and 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander.)
Watchlist: Jackson Cantwell and Somourian Wingo
Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Award:
Presented annually, the award honors the most outstanding college football player of Hispanic ancestry. The College Football Watch List recognizes 20 standout Hispanic athletes who are making a significant impact during the 2026 season. Each player has demonstrated excellence on and off the field.
Watchlist: Ryan Rodriguez, Riply Luna, Kolby Luna, Valdes alfonso Yerovi
Maxwell Award Semifinalst
University of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney were named semifinalists for the 2026 Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday.
The Hurricanes duo is among 18 semifinalists for the prestigious award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Miami is one of four ACC programs represented on the list.
DAVEY O'BRIEN QB CLASS OF 2026
University of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah has been named to the Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2026, the Davey O'Brien Foundation announced Tuesday.
Mensah is one of 30 quarterbacks nationally selected to the prestigious list, which recognizes the nation's top performers at the position and identifies candidates for the 2026 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalst:
University of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney were named semifinalists for the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Wednesday.
The Hurricanes duo is among 20 semifinalists for the award, which recognizes the nation's top college football player.
Paul Hornung Award
University of Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney has been named a finalist for the 2026 Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in college football, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday.
In eight games played, the sophomore has recorded 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 128.4 receiving yards per game. He has surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark five times this season, highlighted by a 234-yard, three-touchdown performance against Stanford.
Toney's production has extended beyond the passing game as the Miami native has added 61 rushing yards on four carries and 69 yards on six punt returns, totaling 1,157 all-purpose yards this season.
Number of Miami Winners for Every NCFAA Award
- Maxwell Award: 3
- Walter Camp Award: 2
- Davey O'Brien Award: 3
- Doak Walker Award: 2
- Biletnikoff Award: 0
- Mackey Award: 1
- Outland Trophy: 2
- Lombardi Award: 1
- Rimington Trophy: 1
- Bednarik Award: 1
- Nagurski Trophy: 2
- Butkus Award: 1
- Thorpe Award: 1
- Hornung Award: 0
- Lou Groza Award: 1
- Ray Guy Award: 0
- William V. Campbell Trophy: 1
- Eddie Robinson Award: 1
- George Munger Award: 0
- Stallings Award: 1
- Broyles Award: 1
- Wuerffel Trophy: 0
- Buddy Teevens Award: 0
- Disney Spirit Award: 0
Full Miami Hurricanes Schedule
- Sep. 4th vs Stanford
- Sep. 10th vs FAMU*
- Sep. 18th vs Wake Forest
- Sep. 26th vs Central Michigan*
- Oct. 3rd vs Clemson
- Bye Week
- Oct. 17th vs Florida State *
- Oct. 24th vs Pittsburgh*
- Oct. 31st vs North Carolina
- Nov. 7th vs Notre Dame
- Nov. 14th vs Duke *
- Nov. 20th vs Virginia Tech*
- Nov. 28th vs Boston College*
*Home Game
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Today's best reads
- Without Malachi Toney, Cooper Barkate Seamlessly Fits As Miami's No. 1
- A Potential Return to Miami's Offensive Line Could Save This Season
- 'The System is the System': Even Without Malachi Toney, Nothing Changes Offensively
- When is the Soonest Miami's Superstar Receiver Can Return?
- Three Storylines I'm Watching Ahead of No. 1 Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/miami as Miami Football 2026 Award Watch List Tracker: Paul Hornung Award Finalist.
Source: Yahoo Sports
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