The Hurricanes will be a new-look side heading into their opening game against rivals Notre Dame.
With a roster heavily influenced by the transfer portal and freshman recruiting class, here’s how the ’Canes could line up heading into head coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season at the helm:
Quarterback
Carson Beck #11
All eyes are on Miami’s new quarterback heading into the 2025-2026 season. Carson Beck, a top transfer from the University of Georgia, has some big shoes to fill after Cam Ward’s Heisman finalist campaign last season. The Jacksonville, Fla. native threw for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns, alongside an 11-2 record last season. He helped lead the team to an SEC Championship win and a college football playoff berth in his final season as a Bulldog.
As a part of two national championship-winning teams and finding success as a starter the past two years for Georgia, Beck looks to bring his winning mentality to Coral Gables and win Miami their first ACC championship ever.
Wide Receivers
CJ Daniels #7
The most experienced wide receiver on the team, CJ Daniels, enters his sixth year of college football. He brings much-needed experience to a young wide receiver room.
Daniels played his first four seasons of college football at Liberty University, where he put up great numbers. In his final season with Liberty in 2023 , Daniels caught 55 passes totaling 1,067 yards with 10 touchdowns and was named to the 2023 All-Conference USA Second Team. While his stats were down last year at LSU due to a foot injury, Daniels has fully healed and aims to return to his 2023 form in Coral Gables.
Running Back
Mark Fletcher Jr. #4
The South Florida native Mark Fletcher Jr. enters his junior campaign with the Hurricanes. As a Sophomore (2024), Fletcher Jr. ranked second on the team with 607 rushing yards on 112 carries and averaged 5.4 yards a carry.
More importantly, he reached the endzone nine times on the ground, a true red-zone threat.
Fletcher Jr. hopes to do big things as the No.1 back for Miami this season.
Tight End
Elija Lofton #9
A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Elija Lofton looks to step up into a bigger role this season after improvements throughout the offseason.
In his freshman year (2024), Lofton showed promise with his versatility in all 13 games. He caught nine passes for 150 yards, including a touchdown. He also took snaps from the backfield, having two rushes for 30 yards and a touchdown. Lofton’s size and strength will be a nightmare for opposing teams’ defenses in 2025.
Offensive Lineman
Francis Mauigoa #61
Francis Mauigoa looks to continue a dominant career at the U.
As a sophomore (2024), Mauigoa and his other offensive lineman led Miami to the No.1 offense in the country, blocking for Ward. He started in all 13 games at right tackle and earned All-ACC second-team recognition as one of the conference’s top linemen. Over the course of the season, Mauigoa led Miami to several 500+ yard performances, including a big opening weekend defeat versus Florida, where the offense amassed 529 yards.
Defensive Lineman
Rueben Bain Jr. #4
After an impressive freshman campaign where Bain received Freshman All-American honors alongside being named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, he dealt with a lingering injury last season that limited his production.
Despite missing four games due to a calf injury last season, Bain still finished the season with an impressive 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Now fully healthy and a projected top-10 draft pick, Bain looks primed to have a standout year as the anchor of the Hurricane defense.
Linebacker
Mohamed Toure #1
In early May, Miami landed a transfer commitment from Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure.
Back in 2023 with Hurricanes Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman serving as linebacker coach at Rutgers, Toure had a career year with 93 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks. Now reunited with Hetherman, Toure could return to that 2023 All-Big Ten form . Originally part of the class of 2019, Toure brings valuable experience to the defensive side of the ball.
If they can keep him healthy, the Hurricanes may have an all-conference level player on their hands.
Cornerback
OJ Frederique Jr. #29
The lone bright spot in Miami’s woeful secondary last season, Frederique has all the makings of a high round pick at corner.
A Freshman All-American last season, he played in all 13 games as he racked up 30 tackles and seven pass break ups. And while these stats may not blow you away, it’s simply because teams were afraid to throw it Frederique’s way.
Lengthy, instinctive and physical when needed, expect Frederique to continue shutting down his side of the field alongside an improved secondary room.
Safety
Zechariah Poyser #7
A top player in the transfer portal, Zechariah Poyser joins the Hurricanes after two seasons with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.
With the Gamecocks, Poyser was named Freshman All-America by the Football Writers Association of America as a redshirt freshman in 2024. In that year, he had 75 total tackles (47 solo) with three interceptions and eight tackles for a loss. He was rewarded with C-USA defensive player of the week after a stellar game against Kennesaw State.
Special Teams
Kick return: Keelan Marion #0
Over the past few seasons Miami has lacked the “it” factor on kick returns, but appear to have flipped the script with one portal class. A former All-American return man, Marion provides electric return possibilities for the Hurricanes.
Don’t be surprised to see him change the game with their return ability this fall.
Kicker: Bert Auburn #45
Following the Borregales brothers success as kickers during the 2020s, Miami was left with big shoes to fill at the kicker position.
Last season Andy Borregales had a remarkable season with only one field goal missed and every extra point converted.
It’s unlikely that Texas transfer Bert Auburn can replace his output, but as long as Auburn can be dependable from within 40 yards that’s more than perfect for the ’Canes.
That would mark a return to his 2023 form where Auburn was awarded all Big-12 honors.