Our STARS shine bright…

The Miami Hurricanes are having a very strong season. At 7-2, 3-2 ACC, the Canes are competing for a berth in the College Football Playoffs and maybe a shot at the conference championship game.

While football is certainly a team game, individual player performance fuels the team’s success. A number of Canes have received recognition for their contribution to Miami’s success on the field.

DE Rueben Bain:

Miami’s anchor on the defensive line in 2025 has been junior defensive end Rueben Bain. This week, Rueben was named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the nation’s top defensive player.

Rueben has done it all. He has totaled 31 tackles, including 15 solo stops, along with 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass breakup. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound edge rusher posted season highs of seven tackles against Florida and recorded an interception in the season-opening win over Notre Dame.

Semifinalist voting opens Nov. 17 and closes Nov. 24. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 27, followed by a final round of voting. The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. The formal presentation of the award will take place at the 89th Maxwell Awards Gala on March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rueben has also been a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award, presented annually to the college football lineman who best exemplifies discipline, performance, and leadership on and off the field.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound edge rusher posted season highs of seven tackles against Florida and also recorded an interception in the season-opening win over Notre Dame.

Rueben has also been selected as a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, presented annually to the defensive player who best combines athletic performance with integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.

Four finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced on Nov. 20. The winner will be revealed at the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award Ceremony on Dec. 7 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California

OT Francis Mauigoa:

Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa has been named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week for Week 11, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday.

The 79th Outland Trophy will be awarded to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman on offense or defense. Three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 26, with the winner set to be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.

At 6’-6”/335, Francis has anchored Miami’s offensive line all season. Not only has he graded out as one of the best offensive tackles by PFF, but he has contributed in a most unusual way recently In the Syracuse game. On a designed play, he turned receiver and caught a backward pass behind the line of scrimmage and rambled in for a 3-yard touchdown late in the game.

Earlier this week, Francis was also been named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

WR Malachi Toney:

Miami true freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney has been a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, presented annually to the most outstanding freshman player in college football.

Malachi is leading all ACC freshmen and ranks fifth overall in the conference in receiving yards with 632 on 52 receptions. Toney has recorded three 100-yard receiving performances this season and has scored three total touchdowns, including a pair of touchdown receptions against Florida State. In his best performance of the season, Malachi posted a season-high 135 receiving yards on seven receptions against Louisville and has also contributed in the ground game, rushing for 61 yards on 13 attempts.

Finalists for the seventh annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 3, 2025, and the winner will be named on Dec. 30, 2025. The formal presentation of the award will take place at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlanta.

DB Keionte Scott:

Miami defensive back Keionte Scott has been named a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

The award recognizes the most outstanding defensive back in college football based on performance, athletic ability and character. recognizes the most outstanding defensive back in college football based on performance, athletic ability and character.

Keionte leads a Miami secondary, considered one of the best units in college football this season. He has been the spark of the Canes’ pass defense, totaling 43 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, three sacks, 3 interceptions, five quarterback hurries, five passes broken up and two fumble recoveries through nine games.

The three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award will be announced on Nov. 25, with the winner revealed during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12. The official Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet honoring the 2025 winner will be held Feb. 10, 2026, in Oklahoma City.

QB Carson Beck:

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck was named a semifinalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The annual award honors the nation’s top senior or upperclassman quarterback who demonstrates excellence on the field and leadership off it, along with strong character, citizenship, and academic standing. The honor, now in its 39th year, will be presented in December in Baltimore, the hometown of Johnny Unitas.

Carson Beck was also among 22 players added to the 2025 Manning Award Midseason Watch List. The award honors the nation’s top collegiate quarterback, taking into account both regular-season and bowl performances. It is the only quarterback award that includes bowl games in its balloting.

HC Mario Cristobal:

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has been named to the midseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced Wednesday.

Now in its 50th year, the Dodd Trophy recognizes the Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose program best represents success on the field, academic achievement, and community impact, the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy. The watch list was compiled by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., considering each program’s Graduation Success Rate, Academic Progress Rate, community service initiatives and on-field performance to date.

The Dodd Trophy will be presented in January to the coach who best exemplifies excellence in all areas of the profession.

Coach Cristobal has also been named to the 2025 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List. The award recognizes the head coach for his leadership, integrity, and impact on the game. The award, which is now in its 40th year, honors college football’s top head coach for contributions that elevate the sport and embody the values of coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant.

The annual honor is presented each January by the American Heart Association, which uses the Bryant Awards to raise awareness and critical funds supporting heart and brain health research. This year’s Coach of the Year will be announced Jan. 21, 2026, during the awards ceremony in Houston, Texas.

Congratulations to our Canes. Well deserved!

GO CANES!