Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List

August 17, 2026

Courtesy of Miami Athletics:

Three Miami Hurricanes were named to the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced Monday.

Quarterback Darian Mensah, wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. were among 50 players selected to the preseason list for one of college football’s longest-standing individual honors.

Miami’s three selections are the second-most of any program in the country.

Mensah arrived in Coral Gables following a standout 2025 campaign in which he started 14 games and threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns against just six interceptions. The San Luis Obispo, Calif., native also earned second-team all-conference honors and finished the season as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, presented annually to the nation’s top quarterback.

Toney returns for his sophomore season after putting together one of the most productive freshman campaigns in Miami history. The Miami native set a program single-season record with 109 receptions and led the ACC with 1,211 receiving yards while adding 10 receiving touchdowns. Toney finished with 1,622 all-purpose yards, scored once on the ground and also threw two touchdown passes.

His debut season earned him ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, along with FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year recognition. Toney was also named a Walter Camp Preseason First-Team All-American.

Fletcher enters his senior season after rushing for a career-best 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns on 216 carries in 2025. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native averaged 5.5 yards per carry and added 17 receptions for 140 yards and two scores.

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.

GO CANES!