Miami Hurricanes Offensive Trio Named to Maxwell Award Watch List
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MIAMI, Fla. – Three Miami Hurricanes offensive stars were named on the Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday.
Quarterback Darian Mensah, wide receiver Malachi Toney, and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. were among the 80 players nominated. The Maxwell Award has recognized the most outstanding player in college football annually since 1937.
Each Hurricanes nominee is coming off a remarkable 2025 season.
At Duke, Mensah led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. He delivered the Blue Devils program its first ACC football title since 1989. Given the offensive weapons surrounding him at “The U,” Mensah is poised for another jump in production.
Toney led the nation with 109 catches as a freshman, going for 1,211 yards and scoring 13 total touchdowns – receiving (10), rushing (one), passing (two). The dynamic playmaker is one of college football’s most prolific stars ahead of the 2026 season.
Fletcher Jr. had a historic stretch in the College Football Playoffs. He rushed 75 times for a record-breaking 507 yards and scored three touchdowns – two in the National Championship game against Indiana. The Fort Lauderdale native passed on the opportunity to declare for the NFL Draft and returned for a senior season.
The one thing each player has in common is leadership, not only among the offensive players, but for the whole team. Given the Hurricanes’ historic postseason run, the expectations for the program have grown significantly. It starts with winning the ACC, which hasn’t been done in “The U’s” history since joining in 2004.
Mensah’s experience, along with former Duke teammate and wide receiver Cooper Barkate, should help in delivering. Winning the ACC would provide the Hurricanes with an automatic bid to the College Football Playoffs – potentially a first-round bye.
Fletcher Jr. and Toney are among the top returners on the roster. If the Hurricanes reach expectations throughout the season, the individual accolades will follow.
The Max Award will announce the semifinalists on Nov. 10, followed by the unveiling of three finalists on Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 10 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Award Show.
Mensah, Toney, and Fletcher Jr. are projected to be in the running for other individual awards, including the Heisman Trophy.
The Hurricanes have several prolific talents on both sides of the field. Championship contention is strongly within the realm as fall camp is set to officially open on Tuesday.
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