Fresh off a run to the nationwide title sport, this 12 months’s Miami Hurricanes may even be higher. The offense has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers (Cooper Barkate and Malachi Toney), a 1,000-yard rusher (Mark Fletcher) and one of many ACC’s prime returning QBs (Darian Mensah). The protection added a large pass-rush risk in Missouri switch Damon Wilson II and returns six starters. Head coach Mario Cristobal’s roster-building has positioned Miami as an ACC favourite and professional nationwide title risk.
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Miami Football: 2026 Hurricanes Season Preview and Prediction
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal Mark J&interval; Rebilas-Imagn Images
Previewing Miami’s Offense for 2026
Miami has explosive items on offense, led by former Duke standout quarterback Darian Mensah, who threw for 34 touchdowns and solely six interceptions in main the Blue Devils to the ACC title in 2025. The Hurricanes additionally picked up his favourite goal at Duke — Cooper Barkate (1,106 yards, seven TDs final season). Now add within the return of one of many nation’s most explosive slot threats in Malachi Toney (1,211 yards, 10 TDs), in addition to working again Mark Fletcher Jr. (1,192 yards, 12 TDs), and the Canes don’t have any scarcity of weapons.
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The large query is an offensive line that loses 4 starters and is counting on oft-injured heart Ryan Rodriguez, true freshman deal with Jackson Cantwell and former 5-star recruit Samson Okunlola. The lone returner up entrance is Matthew McCoy, who may play guard or deal with.
Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2026
Previewing Miami’s Defense for 2026
Despite some key losses — together with star ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor — this could as soon as once more be a playmaking group. Miami added fearsome Missouri cross rusher Damon Wilson II (9 sacks in 2025), and the workforce returns Marquise Lightfoot (2.5 sacks), DE/DT Armondo Blount (2.5 sacks), beginning tackles Ahmad Moten Sr. (4.5 sacks) and Justin Scott (6.5 tackles for a loss).
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The prime 4 cornerbacks return, led by Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr. (seven cross breakups) and Xavier Lucas (45 tackles, INT). Starting security Zechariah Poyser (68 tackles) is joined by nickel/S Bryce Fitzgerald (six INTs) and Boston College switch Omar Thornton (82 tackles).
An space of concern depth-wise is at linebacker. Mohamed Toure (84 tackles) is again, however the place has query marks, as guys like Chase Smith and former NC State switch Kamal Bonner must step up.
Previewing Miami’s Specialists for 2026
Northwestern switch Jack Olsen (19-of-21 on subject objectives, with a protracted of 41 yards) will deal with subject objectives with Florida State switch Jake Weinberg dealing with kickoffs. Punter Dylan Joyce is among the ACC’s finest, averaging 44.4 yards per punt final season. The return sport needs to be explosive behind the speedy Toney (13.0 yards per punt return).
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This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2026, the place it first appeared within the College Football part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.