McDermott (Rimington), Walford (Mackey) join growing list of Canes on preseason watch lists

Tis the season to be named to College Football Award Watch Lists.

Tuesday, it was Shane McDermott and Clive Walford who became the latest Miami Hurricanes to receive some preseason recognition.

McDermott was one of 66 centers named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List, an award presented annually since 2000 to the nation’s top collegiate center in NCAA Division I FBS. Miami’s Brett Romberg won the Rimington Trophy in 2002 after contributing the Miami’s 34-game winning streak from 2000-2002. He never allowed a sack at center and led an offensive line that helped produce three 1,000-yard rushers – James Jackson, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee.

Walford, meanwhile, was one of 40 players named to the John Mackey Preseason Watch List, an award given annually since 2000 to the nation's top tight end. It's the second year in a row he's on the list. Kellen Winslow II (2003) is the only Hurricane who has won the award.

McDermott, a Lake Worth, Fla. native, started 11 games at center in 2013 for the Hurricanes. A third-team All-ACC selection by the league’s head coaches, he helped anchor the offensive line that paved the way for a Hurricanes offense that averaged 425.8 yards of total offense and 33.8 points per game.

Walford played in all 13 games in 2013, making 12 starts at tight end. He finished the season with 454 receiving yards and two TDs on 34 catches, finishing second on the team in receptions. The Belle Glade, Fla., product had a streak of 27 consecutive games with at least one reception snapped Nov. 23, 2013, against Virginia. He later eclipsed the 1,000-yard career mark against Louisville in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

The winner of the Rimington Trophy is selected by determining the consensus All-America center pick from three prestigious All-America teams: Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). The Rimington Trophy presentation will be held Jan. 17, 2015, at Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Neb.

The Mackey winner is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and will be announced Dec. 10, and then presented live Dec. 11 at The Home Depot Collegiate Football Awards Show.

MIAMI HURRICANES ON 2014 PRESEASON AWARD WATCH LISTS

> Anthony Chickillo, DE: CFPA Defensive Line Trophy

> Stacy Coley, WR/KR: Paul Hornung Award (most versatile); Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year)

> Ladarius Gunter, DB: CFPA Defensive Back Trophy

> Duke Johnson, RB: Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year); CFPA Running Back Trophy 

> Shane McDermott, C: Rimington Trophy (nation’s best center)

> Denzel Perryman, LB: Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the Year); CFPA Linebacker Trophy

> Clive Walford, TE: John Mackey Award (Outstanding collegiate tight end)