CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. were named to the watch list for the 2026 Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.
Miami and Ohio State led all programs with three selections apiece among the 81 preseason candidates. The Maxwell Award has recognized the most outstanding player in college football annually since 1937.
Entering his first season as the Hurricanes’ signal caller, Mensah delivered a dominant 2025 season where he earned second-team All-ACC honors and was named a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award honoring the nation’s top quarterback. Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns compared to six interceptions and was also selected as the MVP of the Sun Bowl.
Toney delivered one of the most productive freshman seasons in Miami history in 2025. The Liberty City native earned ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year and FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year honors. Toney set Miami single-season records with 109 receptions and 1,211 receiving yards while adding 10 touchdown catches. He was named a second-team All-American by The Associated Press and earned first-team All-ACC recognition at wide receiver.
Fletcher rushed for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns during his junior campaign, earning third-team All-ACC honors. He added 140 receiving yards and two touchdown catches while starting 12 of Miami’s 14 games. Fletcher established a College Football Playoff record with 507 rushing yards during the Hurricanes’ postseason run and enters his senior season ranked seventh in program history with 2,313 career rushing yards.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced Nov. 10, followed by the unveiling of three finalists Nov. 24. The winner will be announced Dec. 10 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
The Hurricanes open the 2026 season Sept. 4 at Stanford. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. on ESPN.
Miami Hurricanes Preseason Awards and Watch List Tracker
QB Darian Mensah
ACC Preseason Player of the Year
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (QB)
Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (RB)
Phil Steele Preseason All-America
Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
WR Malachi Toney
Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (First team AP, Third team (PR)
Phil Steele Preseason All-America
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (WR, AP & SP)
Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
WR Cooper Barkate
Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (Fourth team, WR)
OL Samson Okunola
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (OG)
DL Ahmad Moten Sr.
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Athlon Sports Preseason All-America (Fourth team, DL)
Phil Steele Preseason All-America
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (DL)
LB Mohamed Toure
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (LB)
DB Bryce Fitzgerald
ACC Preseason All-ACC team (S)
