Kaaya on Watch List for Good Works, Wuerffel Trophy

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami junior quarterback Brad Kaaya was among those players recognized as preseason candidates for two major college football awards Thursday.

Kaaya was named a candidate for both the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing those student-athletes who demonstrate “good works” extend beyond the football field, and the Wuerffel Trophy, known as “college football’s premier award for community service.”

Among those initiatives that Kaaya has undertaken are representing the University of Miami at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge, participating in numerous hospital visits throughout the South Florida community, taking part in community youth groups at Gibson Park, and participating in a seven-on-seven flag football tournament for local youth on Miami Beach.

Kaaya, who has also visited multiple local elementary schools to encourage kids to stay in school, participated in the Hurricanes’ ‘Be the Match’ bone marrow drive in 2014 and 2015 and serves on the leadership counsel for the Hurricanes Student-Athlete Advisor Committee (SAAC).

The recognition adds to a growing list of preseason awards for Kaaya, who was named a player to watch for the Maxwell Award honoring the top player in college football.

On the field, Kaaya posted a strong sophomore season in which he threw for over 3,000 yards for the second straight year, passed for 16 touchdowns and had just five interceptions. Kaaya was one of just three players nationally to throw for 3,000-or-more yards, 10-or-more touchdowns and five-or-fewer interceptions.

Following the 2015 season, Kaaya earned All-ACC Third-Team honors by the coaches and Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. The Los Angeles native enters his junior season with 6,436 career-passing yards and stands fifth on the all-time list at Miami. He needs just 3,130 yards to become the Hurricanes’ all-time passing leader.