The Miami Hurricanes held its 2015 Canes Football Awards Show last Sunday night at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall located inside the Frost School of Music.
The Hurricanes coaching staff handed out 25 annual player awards. Sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya was named the Jack Harding Team Most Valuable Player following an incredible 2015 season where he led the ACC in passing yards per game.
Offensive Player of the Year went to sophomore running back Joe Yearby after he led the team in rushing, finishing with 939 yards on the ground. Defensive Player of the Year honors went to senior defensive lineman Ufomba Kamalu.
Freshman running back Mark Walton was named the team’s Newcomer of the Year. Third-team All-ACC kicker (Coaches) and Lou Groza Award Semifinalist Michael Badgley was named Special Teams MVP.
Senior wide receiver Herb Waters was the recipient of the Plumer Award for Leadership, Motivation and Spirit. Senior linebacker Raphael Kirby received the Melching Leadership Award. Both awards are voted on by the team.
The program also saw cornerback Artie Burns receive the second annual Kelly UTough Player of the Year Award.
At the end of the night, interim head coach Larry Scott thanked the senior class and all 19 seniors were presented with their framed jersey.
The Hurricanes closed the regular season by winning four of their last five games and finished with an 8-4 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the ACC. Miami will take on Washington State in the 2015 Hyundai Sun on Saturday, December 26. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
2015 Miami Hurricane Award Winners
Hard Hitter Award: Deon Bush
Kelly UTough Award: Artie Burns
The Mariutto Family Scholar Athlete Award: Braxton Berrios
Community Service Man of the Year Award: Dallas Crawford
Strength Training Athlete of the Year: Herb Waters
Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On Award: Gage Batten
Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player: Ufomba Kamalu and Rashawn Scott
Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award: Calvin Heurtelou
U of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero Award: Herb Waters
Training Room Comback Player of the Year: Hunter Knighton
Hurricane Media “Good Guy” Award: Tracy Howard
Captain’s Awards: Brad Kaaya, Raphael Kirby, Dallas Crawford
Plumer Award: Herb Waters
Melching Leadership Award: Raphael Kirby
U Respect Award: Earl Moore
Scout Team Player of the Year: Offense: Collin Alford
Scout Team Player of the Year: Defense: Gerald Willis
Newcomer of the Year Award: Mark Walton
Defensive Most Valuable Player: Ufomba Kamalu
Offensive Most Valuable Player: Joe Yearby
Special Teams MVP: Mike Badgley
Jack Harding Team Most Valuable Player: Brad Kaaya
1?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 05:06 PM
Yeah so
Posted by: Old Skool | December 16, 2015 at 05:06 PM
A new standard has been set for committing to play football. Here's the first professional college commitment video complete with music, announcers and special effects.
http://tinyurl.com/j9u5vu9
Posted by: Old Skool | December 16, 2015 at 04:54 PM
Notice how the actual announcement can be pretty easily edited as many times as needed
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 05:09 PM
Here's what I'll guarantee about Richt announcing staff hires. It will be done before January 13th and after December 26th. That's the best I've got as far as facts. The rest are just guesses
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 16, 2015 at 05:10 PM
For coaching announcements I've got 1/6 TO 1/8.
Posted by: SOUP | December 16, 2015 at 05:19 PM
Scout Team Player of the Year: Offense: Collin Alford WHO???
Scout Team Player of the Year: Defense: Gerald Willis OH YEAH!!!
Posted by: SOUP | December 16, 2015 at 05:20 PM
Well, well, well...that's who:
http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=210099409&DB_OEM_ID=28700
Posted by: SOUP | December 16, 2015 at 05:26 PM
Finally a new blog.
Posted by: The Dude | December 16, 2015 at 05:33 PM
Slackers.
Posted by: The Dude | December 16, 2015 at 05:33 PM
The way people, several different ones including reporters, are talking about Willis, makes it sound like he will be a beast next year.
Crossing my fingers.
Posted by: Lur-ker | December 16, 2015 at 05:34 PM
Canespace needs to have an "awards" blog!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 16, 2015 at 06:31 PM
Notice how the actual announcement can be pretty easily edited as many times as needed
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 05:09 PM
'Tis true.
Still Gatorade sponsored it, Bleacher Report produced it and a new standard has been set. Playing three hat monte is going to seem ... dare I say ... old skool.
If BR was smart, they probably did the same thing for the other 5 stars at the training camp or wherever they shot it, offered them exclusive release on a particular day or week and sold a package to Gatorade.
Now comes the one-upmanship. "I'm announcing my choice on Friday" "Yeah, who's sponsoring it." "What's the budget?" "How many extras?" "Is it scored?" "What's the position on the page?" "Above the fold?" "How long is guaranteed to stay there?"
Posted by: Old Skool | December 16, 2015 at 06:47 PM
^^^ Smells like a violation to me!
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 08:13 PM
Richt will not attend the Sun Bowl. I guess he sees his presence as a distraction. Media seems more interested in Richt as opposed to what the Canes are doing to prepare for the Bowl. Good decision by Richt. This coach really knows what he is doing. Coaches and players will play their hearts out auditioning for a job next season without the distraction of their new celebrity coach getting all the attention they might feel they earned by finishing 4-1 and making the bowl
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | December 16, 2015 at 08:46 PM
Yesss Sir BigWindyCane1
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 16, 2015 at 08:48 PM
Man, Big Windy, with serious insight.
Excellent post. Nailed the **** out of it. Great job.
Posted by: Lur-ker | December 16, 2015 at 09:00 PM
Canespace needs to have an "awards" blog!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 16, 2015 at 06:31 PM
Good idea but CGNC, OGV and WWIN would win them all so what's the point?
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 09:12 PM
^^^ Smells like a violation to me!
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 08:13 PM
I would imagine it's only a violation if the recruit or his family winds up with cash or payment of any kind. However, if cash is spent in the course of stroking his ego through promotion (which in the case of the Bleacher Report also draws eyeballs because the choice was a surprise and/or this was the number 2 ranked prospect) or providing a larger or better venue upon which to make his college announcement, I would doubt the NCAA has gone there yet.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 16, 2015 at 09:16 PM
And to take this a step further, the video was done in conjunction with a major media outlet (there's some sort of tie between CNN and Bleacher Report) So as long as the prospect does not receive any money or payment of any kind, is the NCAA prepared to dictate what sort of creative and production value may be used or what kind of promotion, positioning or length of appearance the content receives. I doubt it.
Sports and media have a symbiotic relationship of which the NCAA is well aware. Some kids are going to receive star treatment and special perks even before they enroll in college. Can the NCAA control that too? Once again, I doubt it.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 16, 2015 at 09:28 PM
Good idea but CGNC, OGV and WWIN would win them all so what's the point?
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 09:12 PM
-----------------------------------------
Man.............
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 16, 2015 at 10:14 PM
Ohio...c'mon man, U know I love U buddy. I left U and UMIke out on purpose, everybody here knows that U guys run and rule the blog!
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 10:17 PM
Plus U know what awards they win:
CGNC: Most Attractive Blogger
OGV: First/Most Correct About Golden
WWIN: Best Blog Agent
U don't fit any of those categories.
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 10:18 PM
Wait, was OGV before me? I can't remember. If he was it couldn't have been by much.
Posted by: The Dude | December 16, 2015 at 10:23 PM
If OGV gets that, then I want "Best Supporting Hater."
Posted by: The Dude | December 16, 2015 at 10:24 PM
Richt will not attend the Sun Bowl. I guess he sees his presence as a distraction. Media seems more interested in Richt as opposed to what the Canes are doing to prepare for the Bowl. Good decision by Richt. This coach really knows what he is doing. Coaches and players will play their hearts out auditioning for a job next season without the distraction of their new celebrity coach getting all the attention they might feel they earned by finishing 4-1 and making the bowl
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | December 16, 2015 at 08:46 PM
Or he has more important things to do then travel halfway across the country for a meaningless game he can just watch video of.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 10:27 PM
Some kids are going to receive star treatment and special perks even before they enroll in college. Can the NCAA control that too? Once again, I doubt it.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 16, 2015 at 09:28 PM
The player can't receive cash or kind, I wonder where the line is? Is a slickly produced video for the purposes of raising his profile not of value? Would a 3 star recruit get that for free?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 10:30 PM
Have U seen DT Deandre Christmas-Gilles? His HL's look like Warren Sapp's college HLs. Seriously. This kid is a savage. Lives in the backfield. Looks 35 years old too lol
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3109508/highlights/311216384/v2
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 16, 2015 at 10:31 PM
LOL at meaningless game. I can only speak for myself but I would think that Us as Canes Fans want to see our Canes end this Bowl losing streak. We haven't won a Bowl Game since December 31st 2006 carrying Larry Coker off the field in Boise Idaho, It would also give our Canes a 9 win Season which beats the holy crap outta going 6-7 like last year and our Canes would have went 5-1 in our last 6 games and would have beaten 3 teams with winning records, to me that makes this game meaningful. To each their own but 9-4 is certainly better than going 8-5 and ending the Season again on a losing note and still have to know that the last time we won a bowl game was the middle part of last decade. Let's continue to dig outta this whole of mediocrity at best.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 16, 2015 at 10:38 PM
Dear God
Please Fire James Coley and let the CANEZ recruit this bad mofo right here!!!!!
D'Andre Christmas-Giles 2016 DT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUwCCPhTr2Q
Posted by: SinisterCane | December 16, 2015 at 10:41 PM
This may be our next commit: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2759579/deejay-dallas
Just decommited from UGA
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 16, 2015 at 10:41 PM
LOL at meaningless game. I can only speak for myself but I would think that Us as Canes Fans want to see our Canes end this Bowl losing streak. We haven't won a Bowl Game since December 31st 2006 carrying Larry Coker off the field in Boise Idaho, It would also give our Canes a 9 win Season which beats the holy crap outta going 6-7 like last year and our Canes would have went 5-1 in our last 6 games and would have beaten 3 teams with winning records, to me that makes this game meaningful. To each their own but 9-4 is certainly better than going 8-5 and ending the Season again on a losing note and still have to know that the last time we won a bowl game was the middle part of last decade. Let's continue to dig outta this whole of mediocrity at best.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 16, 2015 at 10:38 PM
How far we have fallen.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 10:43 PM
Yesss and reality is trying to climb the ladder again and we can be realistic and understand that we didn't get to this spot overnight and we won't get back to the top overnight. I know the majority of people here on the blog and Canes Fans in general think we went from like 3-8 to a National Powerhouse over night but truthfully the Howard Schnellenberger Years of 79-82 was the Building Block to his last year here in 83 the Championship Year and subsequently handed to Jimmy, Dennis, Butch etc. Just plain reality.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 16, 2015 at 10:56 PM
Sorry I missed all the gun chatter.......been on vacation but its been the type where i wished I was going in to work.....hopefully the end of the week gets better
Posted by: raizecane | December 16, 2015 at 10:59 PM
From CIS:
One smart football coach. I wonder if this brand of football will be the next big thing. I hope so.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14373987
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:04 PM
Yesss and reality is trying to climb the ladder again and we can be realistic and understand that we didn't get to this spot overnight and we won't get back to the top overnight. I know the majority of people here on the blog and Canes Fans in general think we went from like 3-8 to a National Powerhouse over night but truthfully the Howard Schnellenberger Years of 79-82 was the Building Block to his last year here in 83 the Championship Year and subsequently handed to Jimmy, Dennis, Butch etc. Just plain reality.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 16, 2015 at 10:56 PM
After the last 5 years I think most of us will consider CMR's first season a success if he just wins the games he's supposed to.
While I think he's inheriting a better situation than schnelly did, anybody who expects a playoff run in the next year or 2 is insane. We need depth. A lot of it. More than 1 recruiting cycle will bring.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:08 PM
I am going to agree with Terrance on this one. I think the bowl game is important to the players and the coaches. First, these players were outstanding down the stretch except the UNC game. I thought 6-6 was most likely and absolutely no better than 7-5 was the ceiling for this team. They completed the Virginia sweep by beating UVA and VT, beating Duke and Pitt on the road, and controlled GT quite handily. So this team played better than 2014 especially after the coaching change. We need to credit the players for doing that. They were winners in high school and the players, especially the seniors, want to go out as winners. The returning guys are just glad to be having fun again playing the game, and winning. They are on a roll and like 4-1 and see nothing but positives in their future. They will give their best effort against WSU.
Every win post change reaffirms to the players that they were never the problem, that the system and coaching were what held them back, and they are eager to prove that on the field. The bowl game is very important to them.
For the coaches, its important because if they fail in the bowl, it can cost a job offer in the near future. They want to be on the best situation when teams make changes after a season ends. They coach em up in the bowl game and they will get more interviews. For middle of the pack schools, a guy like Larry Scott, or a James Coley, might be someone you interview after Miami went 5-1 post Golden (assuming UM bowl win). They also will have credible deniability that they were not the problem either, that Golden was the problem, or D'Ono was the problem or the fans were the problem or whatever.
As a fan, I want this team to finish what is started. It proved itself a good team post Golden and I think a win to cap it off would be great. Nine years between bowl wins is enough.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | December 16, 2015 at 11:14 PM
Nobody said that the game isn't important to the players and coaches. It's just not that important to CMR, who will get what he needs watching tape.
Or at least being there isn't that important, and it has nothing to do with his presence making the players nervous.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:20 PM
I took a trip down to Dade to see our 5* PF Dewan Huell and Norland take on NMB...
Lord have mercy! DH is ultra athletic!
He made a 360 look like a lay up during warm ups. He tries to dunk everytime he gets the ball. He had 3 or 4 nasty ones. He has a soft touch on his jumpshot. He could've scored 30 if their guards weren't so selfish. They rarely fed him in the post when he had position. Blocked a few shots and altered several others. He's a good passer too. Had a sick no look behind the back pass from the post. Gobbles up the boards...
Once coach L puts some weight on him and polishes him up, he might be 1 and done. Definitely won't last pas his soph year at the "U". Legit 5*. The best post recruit the "U" has ever had. I can't wait to see this shyt next year....
Posted by: CoCane | December 16, 2015 at 11:26 PM
But he could be there right? Even Golden watched the Sun Bowl live when he was announced as coach. I mean, it was a nightmare to watch for all of us but he was there? A new coach needs to earn the current roster of players trust that he has their backs right? I don't think being in the stands is a big deal but it would send a message to the team that he thinks they are talented enough to be worthy of paying for the cost of his own ticket to watch them play.
Nitpicking? probably but I think Richt would love to begin 2016 with a team on a 5-1 roll to end last season and you recognized the existing talent and embraced them.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | December 16, 2015 at 11:30 PM
If OGV gets that, then I want "Best Supporting Hater."
Posted by: The Dude | December 16, 2015 at 10:24 PM
U win, hands down.
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 11:45 PM
How far we have fallen.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 10:43 PM
The question is how long will it take for us to get back up?
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 11:46 PM
Anyone remember when JJ played his hoops at the U:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lebron-reveals-favourite-player-time-045010720.html
Posted by: JCane | December 16, 2015 at 11:50 PM
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | December 16, 2015 at 11:30 PM
Watch the video of 3 or 4 players holding CMR as he tries to ride a hover board. That's how relationships are built. Whether or not he's at the game matters not.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:52 PM
Watch the OL, very impressive execution on several plays.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2759579/highlights/301793380/v2
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 11:52 PM
1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 10:43 PM
The question is how long will it take for us to get back up?
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 11:46 PM
We've already started the climb, and that's all that matters right now.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:53 PM
We've already started the climb, and that's all that matters right now.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:53 PM
I'll start the bus.
RCCF...where U at?
Posted by: 58 Straight | December 16, 2015 at 11:55 PM
James Jones was a beast at the "U"
Posted by: CoCane | December 16, 2015 at 11:56 PM
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | December 16, 2015 at 11:30 PM
Watch the video of 3 or 4 players holding CMR as he tries to ride a hover board. That's how relationships are built. Whether or not he's at the game matters not.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:52 PM
This video:
http://collegespun.com/acc/miami-fl/video-miami-players-are-teaching-mark-richt-how-to-hoverboard-and-its-hilarious
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 16, 2015 at 11:57 PM
I agree with TSully that winning the game is very important. A nice lead in to next year, and a nice reward for the players and coaches that kept this thing from completely imploding, as could've easily happened. Also a nice way to send out these seniors who surely weren't expecting this much disappointment when they signed 4-5 years ago.
I also agree that it's a classy move by MR not attending and thereby keeping the focus on the players and current coaches and not being a distraction to them. It's their show. Also, there are plenty of other things he has to do. He can review film later. It's also not a time effective use of his time. He's in a real time crunch right now.
Posted by: Lur-ker | December 17, 2015 at 12:17 AM
ALL the bloggers on here know Schnells didn't build this overnight, onnnnnnly in ya' head.
Posted by: CaneRock | December 17, 2015 at 12:59 AM