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Feid’s Falxo Tour brings Ferxxo back to the fans who knew him first

Gabriel Mena
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Feid’s Falxo Tour brings Ferxxo back to the fans who knew him first

Following performances at stadiums, arenas and massive festival stages, Feid arrived at The Fillmore Miami Beach theater on April 9th with a show that felt less complex and more focused on reconnection. 

The room was packed, the crowd was dressed in his signature green and from the opening stretch, it was clear this tour was not built only for casual fans waiting on the biggest hits. 

This was a setlist for the people who know the deep cuts, the early tracks and the emotional language that made Ferxxo feel personal long before he became one of Latin music’s biggest stars.

This has been the theme of this era. In FEID VS FERXXO, the seven-track project is framed as an exploration of the duality that has followed him throughout his career: the Ferxxo that first connected with fans and the Feid who has grown into one of Latin music’s most influential voices. 

The tour brings that split into the room. It is still bright, energetic and playful, but underneath it, there is a chance for reflection.

The opening leaned heavy into Ferxxo favorites, and the crowd responded like they had been waiting years to hear these songs in a room this size. The Fillmore may be smaller than the arenas Feid has been playing recently, but the noise inside made it feel massive. 

Some of the crowd pops were among the loudest I have heard in this venue. It felt like everyone in the room knew exactly why this tour mattered. The fans were not waiting patiently through the deeper songs. They were screaming them back.

That intimacy is clearly intentional. Feid does not need to prove he can sell bigger rooms anymore. His previous tours already did that. What makes the Falxo Tour interesting is that it scales the experience down when he could keep pushing upward like most artists at his level would. 

One of the clearest examples came with “Medellín Takai,” featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba on the EP. Feid brought a fan onstage to sing the Japanese verse, turning one of the project’s most unexpected global moments into something communal and funny. It was not perfect in a polished pop-show way, but that was the charm. It felt alive.

Then came “CHICA 305,” his recent collaboration with John Summit, which was already in the spotlight when Feid appeared during Summit’s Ultra Music Festival closing set. 

At the Fillmore, the track hit differently. Instead of feeling like a giant festival pop-out, it felt like Miami reclaiming its own song. The crowd started bumping immediately, and Feid’s constant movement across the stage made the room feel even tighter.

The acoustic portion was another reminder of what makes a Ferxxo show feel complete. A Feid concert does not feel like a Feid concert without a stripped-down set.

“XNTXS” in acoustic form gave the night one of its most grounded moments. It pulled the room inward. After so much movement, it let the fans sit inside the feeling for a few minutes.

One of the most meaningful details was the presence of his cousin, who had previously appeared as backing vocals on his last tour. This time, she was not just tucked into the background. 

Her vocals were more prominent, a choice that fits the whole energy of this run: smaller, more personal, more connected to the people around Feid.

The night closed with signature green confetti, but even that did not feel like excess. It floated down over a calmer outro, playing into the larger theme of the tour. This was not Feid trying to outdo his stadium era. It was him trying to bring the audience back into the center of the story.

That is what makes the Falxo Tour work. It still has the energy of Ferxxo, but it feels more aware of Salomón underneath. The project may be called FEID VS FERXXO, but live, the conflict does not feel like a fight. It feels like a conversation between the versions of himself that got him here.

At the Fillmore, surrounded by fans singing every word, Feid did not need the biggest room to prove his power. He just needed the right one.

Frost alum returns to Miami for U.S. premiere of ‘If These Walls Could Talk’

Alejandra Chavez
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Frost alum returns to Miami for U.S. premiere of ‘If These Walls Could Talk’

On April 26, the Frost Symphony Orchestra will take the stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for An Evening of Masterpieces and a Piano Concerto featuring the U.S. premiere of Jorge Mejia’s “If These Walls Could Talk”. 

The Frost alum and Latin Grammy-nominated composer will also perform the piece under the direction of acclaimed conductor Gerard Schwarz, who has spent decades leading orchestras and premiering new works.

Mejia’s return to the stage with the Frost School of Music is more than just another performance. As a former student performing his own work alongside the university’s orchestra on a major stage, it is a full-circle moment.

After Mejia played the work internationally in countries like Spain, Uruguay and Colombia, he brings it back to the city that inspired it.

“I’ve played this piece all over, and now the U.S. premiere is here in Miami with my alma mater,” he said.

The piece itself is deeply rooted in Miami.

Mejia said the inspiration came from a 1920s apartment building on Collins Avenue where he once lived. Sitting in his apartment, he wondered about the lives that passed through the space, from the devastation of the Great Miami Hurricane to the area’s transformation over decades.

That curiosity became the foundation for the concerto.

“I wondered about all the people who would have lived there, what their stories would be,” Mejia said.

The result is a three-movement work that blends history, imagination and personal reflection, turning a single building into a larger story about Miami itself.

Mejia’s approach to composing is as intuitive as the idea behind the piece. Rather than with a strict structure, he begins at the piano. 

“I think of an idea in my head and then I start improvising, and it flows into the next part,” he said.

That process allows the music to evolve organically, something Mejia hopes audiences can feel when they listen.

More than anything, he wants the music  to emotionally connect with people, even to those who may not typically listen to classical music.

The upcoming performance also highlights the Frost School of Music’s broader mission of blending tradition with innovation.

Schwarz said the piece reflects a shift in how classical music is being approached today.

“This is something we at the school do, bringing together classical and more popular forms,” Schwarz said.

He emphasized that modern musicians must go beyond technical skill, learning how to engage audiences and adapt to a changing industry.

“Playing great isn’t necessarily enough anymore,” Schwarz said.

As the orchestra prepares for the performance, both Mejia and Schwarz point to one constant amid changes in the music industry: the power of live performance.

Schwarz said that while new technology once led people to believe audiences would stop attending concerts, the opposite has happened.

“There’s no substitute for hearing great music in a concert hall, the immediacy, the thrill, the way it can touch you,” he said.

For Mejia, that connection between performer, music and audience is exactly what he hopes people take away from the night.

The release of “If These Walls Could Talk” will extend beyond the stage. A recording of the orchestral version, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra, is set to be released on Apple Music Classical on April 24, just days before the concert.

The study abroad bubble

Jennifer Desantis
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The study abroad bubble

I arrived in Rome a couple months ago believing I would be fully immersed in a new culture. This expectation has proven to be partially true. 

By exploring the city, I’ve experienced a different language and different customs. But it turns out that certain moments in my day-to-day life feel very similar. 

At universities across the United States, study abroad opportunities are most commonly offered through a U.S.-run program, rather than an academic institution of the host country. 

As a study abroad student at the American University of Rome, I live and study alongside fellow Americans. On my walk from my apartment to class, I’ve noticed it’s about as common to hear people speaking English as it is to hear people speaking Italian.

In the Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education, Professor Mary K. MacKenty writes that “US programs inherently increase peer group contact, which can detract from the development of local relationships and tend to shelter students from the foreign environment, creating ‘American bubbles.’” 

According to a 2024 presentation by the Association of American College and University Programs in Italy, only 15% of American students studying abroad in Italy interact continuously with Italians, and the majority never or only occasionally interact with Italians. This number is astonishingly low. But it’s hard to break out of the bubble. 

A student at Syracuse University told the San Diego Union-Tribune that she “loved her semester in London,” but admits parts of the experience didn’t feel all that different from being back on campus at Syracuse University. She lived with four Syracuse classmates, took classes with fellow Syracuse students in a Syracuse-owned building from Syracuse-affiliated faculty. 

“Our social circle was pretty much other people in the program,” she added.

Being surrounded by Americans is certainly comforting, but I can’t help but feel like my experience living in Italy is inauthentic. During my time abroad, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t want to be comfortable. 

In fact, some of my favorite travel memories have come out of moments of discomfort. I’ve gotten on the wrong bus and ended up two hours away from Paris, and I’ve gotten on the wrong ferry to an island in Greece. Each time, after the initial shock wore off, I was grateful to have the opportunity to see something different than what I initially expected. 

I recently started attending a language exchange in Rome where individuals learning Italian can meet for a conversation guided by a native speaker. The first time I went, the man leading the conversation found my attempts to speak Italian hilarious. Yet I kept coming back, and my Italian has gotten better. 

I know that I won’t become a local, at least not in the short time I’m here. But pursuing total immersion is worthwhile in and of itself. There’s so much learning and personal growth that comes out of feeling completely out of place. 

ICE whistleblower’s testimony confirms our greatest fears

Emil Salgado Vazquez
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ICE whistleblower’s testimony confirms our greatest fears

The Trump administration has denied accusations of negligence in the training of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers for months, even amid the horrible killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Now, Ryan Schwank, a former ICE lawyer, has confirmed many of these criticisms and brought critical information to light in his testimony to Congress.

The administration, through its own purposeful negligence, has created an army of poorly trained thugs funded by American tax dollars to terrorize immigrant communities in the U.S.

Schwank accused the Department of Homeland Security of lying about cutting ICE training to the detriment of its officers, including legal training surrounding officers’ use of deadly force. He called ICE’s current training program “deficient, defective and broken.”
This testimony finally confirms what many ICE critics have been screaming out for everyone to realize as the Trump administration has ramped up its anti-immigrant operations.

“For the last five months, I watched ICE dismantle the training program, cutting 240 hours of vital classes from a 584 hour program,” Schwank told Congress. “Classes that teach the Constitution, our legal system, firearms training, the use of force, lawful arrests, proper detention and the limits of officers’ authority.”

The horrors that we have seen ICE officers commit in the past few months now make sense. Officers are not properly trained to do their jobs, and then they are thrown into high-pressure situations with the expectation that they can do their jobs without harming innocent people. Trainees have also been deceived into thinking that they can enter homes without judicial warrants, according to Schwank.

The lack of training is unacceptable given that DHS received $170 billion under the Big Beautiful Bill, a significant legislative funding package passed last year. Before the second Trump administration, ICE’s budget hovered around $10 billion, and has since ballooned to $85 billion.

Even with all of this new money, it seems most of the funding has been used to hire ICE officers quickly and not to improve their training. The Trump administration has gutted proper training and thrown them into the streets as human disasters waiting to happen.

Somehow, Republican Congress members still dared to push for even more funding for ICE, amid the controversy. However, the DHS has been shut down as of Feb. 14, after Congress failed to pass a bill to fund its operations before a stopgap measure lapsed.

It will likely be harder to pass a new funding bill after Schwank’s testimony, even as the White House attempts to negotiate with Congressional Democrats.

Congressional Democrats are asking for “masks off, body cameras on” reforms for ICE officers, as well as calls for officers to conduct themselves like other national and local law enforcement agencies and to tighten warrant requirements.

However, none of these measures are enough. ICE has tarnished the reputation of law enforcement in this country to a point where it should no longer be allowed to continue.
Congress must abolish ICE.

Its existence flies in the face of true American values of freedom and Constitutional rights. ICE has consistently infringed upon Americans’ 4th and 5th amendment rights over the last few months, and these are infringements that cannot be forgiven quickly by soft reforms.

Hurricanes Hall of Fame welcomes 2026 induction class

Gaby Collazo
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Hurricanes Hall of Fame welcomes 2026 induction class

The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum (UMSHoF&M) will induct 10 new members as part of its 56th induction class on Thursday, April 23 at the Watsco Center. 

Founded in 1966 by eight UM alumni who served as Miami-Dade County Circuit Court judges, UMSHoF&M is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing important Hurricane student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

The organization prides itself on celebrating those who excelled in their respective sport, contributed to the success of Hurricane athletics and elevated UM reputation through their achievements and championships.

“On behalf of the U.M. Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, it gives us great pleasure to announce the 2026 Class of inductees, which is composed of UM athletes from seven different sports,” said UMSHoF&M President Mark Drobiarz. “We will celebrate this diverse class and showcase their outstanding accomplishments from their Miami career[s].” 

This year’s class features influential athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on Hurricane athletics.

The group is headlined by former running back Duke Johnson (football, 2012-2014), UM’s all-time leading rusher who went on to play eight seasons in the NFL.

Multiple Olympians will also be inducted on Thursday. 

Sam Dorman (diving, 2010-2015) represented both the United States and Miami on a global stage at the 2016 Rio Olympics, earning a silver medal in men’s synchronized 3-meter springboard. Shakima Wimbley (track & field, 2014-2017), was an elite sprinter who earned multiple NCAA championships and All-American honors.

On the coaching side, Mark Richt will be inducted (Football Head Coach 2016-2018), who led Miami to an ACC Coastal Division title and Orange Bowl appearance in 2017. Richt  also participated as a quarterback in the early 1980s for the Hurricanes.

Other names include Wendy Foote (basketball, 1974-1978), Bryan Garcia (baseball 2014 -2016), Savanah Leaf (volleyball, 2012-2014), Mike Rumph (football, 1998-2001), Duane Starks (football, 1996-1997) and Phallon Tullis-Joyce (soccer, 2015-2018).

“[I am] honored and humbled to join the UM Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026,” said Dorman on his instagram. “Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this incredible journey. Once a Cane, always a Cane.”

Alumnus Sam Dorman, class of 2015, dives off a springboard during practice at the UC Pool this summer. Dorman won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the synchronized 3 meter springboard event. Photo courtesy Samuel Montero

Including the Class of 2026, only 382 honorees have been inducted to UM’s hall of fame in the university’s 101 year history. With fewer than 400 total inductees in over a century, the selection remains one of the university’s highest athletic honors. 

In addition, former Hurricanes baseball player and longtime supporter Tommy Adams will receive the UMSHoF&M Distinguished Service Award during the ceremony.  

Each new class into the Hall of Fame not only honors past excellence but also sets a precedent for the standards of athletics at Miami.  

Tickets to the event are $200 for single tickets, a regular table of 10 can be purchased for $2,000, Sponsor Tables of 10 for $2,750, which includes preferred seating, and a limited number of Platinum Sponsor Tables for $5,000. 

Tickets and tables can be purchased by clicking here. 

It’s time to put an end to the protein epidemic

Hannah Valdivia
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It’s time to put an end to the protein epidemic

A simple stroll through Whole Foods will have you sick of the word protein in about five minutes. 

Protein popcorn, protein soda, protein cereal. 

“Big Protein” is taking over. I’m so over people adding protein to literally everything, because it’s really not all it’s cracked up to be. 

With the sheer volume of health-related TikTok influencers, it’s only natural that their viewers would become more and more interested in the foods they are eating. 

It makes sense that companies are utilizing the protein fad as a marketing tactic, rather than something actually good for its consumers. 

Even major celebrities are jumping on the trend, as seen with the launch of Khloe Kardashian’s “KHLOUD Protein Popcorn.” Starbucks also recently added a protein cold foam to their menu to keep up with the trending health kick.  

According to an article by MedicalNewsToday, many companies partake in what’s called “proteinwashing,” where they market their products to have high amounts of protein. 

While this is true, these same products also contain multiple additives. They are typically high in sodium, saturated fats and sweeteners. 

In January of this year, the Trump administration updated the U.S. dietary guidelines, recommending 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily rather than the previous 0.8 gram recommendation.

However, an article by Johns Hopkins argues that individuals don’t need to be eating more protein to be healthy, they need to be gaining protein from several different natural sources because “not all proteins are created equal.” 

Seafood offers omega-3 fatty acids, important for brain health, while plant-based proteins such as lentils offer fiber and antioxidants. Red and processed meats, however, have higher levels of saturated fat which can cause heart problems if consumed in large amounts.  

This sudden drive for protein rich snacks is not just linked to social media trends. Some studies are showing that the hype surrounding protein consumption is linked to an increased use of GLP-1s. 

“Since GLP-1 drugs lead patients to lower their caloric intake, every calorie consumed means more,” said a CNBC article. “Protein intake is more important to prevent muscle loss.”

The widespread use of these weight loss drugs have also been highlighted in celebrities and tv show stars. 

Layla Taylor, known for being one of the stars of the Hulu show Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, recently opened up in the fourth season of the show about her eating disorder and struggle with overuse of GLP-1s. 

“Appearance is everything here (Utah),” said Taylor in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment. 

She explained how easy it was for her to obtain the drug, despite already being underweight when she started taking the medication, and how this stemmed from a harsh beauty standard among the Utah community. 

So, before you pick up that gallon of protein ice cream from Target, it’s important to look at the rest of the nutrition facts on the back of the package. You may come to find out that the “healthy alternative” isn’t doing much for your health at all. 

Hurricanes can’t complete sweep, lose 14-6 to Stanford in series finale

Zach Cohen
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Hurricanes can’t complete sweep, lose 14-6 to Stanford in series finale

A statement sweep slipped away Sunday, April 19, as Miami fell 14–6 in the series finale against Stanford in Palo Alto, California at Klein Field.

It wasn’t sophomore AJ Ciscar’s day on the mound. The right-hander gave up six hits, six runs (five earned) and walked two in 2.2 innings pitched.

Stanford right-fielder Brock Sell on the way to a three hit-day, roped a single and an RBI single to right field that moved the Cardinal lead to 6-4.

The majority of Miami’s offense came in the early portions of this ballgame, scoring all of its runs in the first four innings as neither starting pitcher had its stuff. 

Nick Dugan, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher, went two innings and allowed four hits and three runs.

UM’s bats came out hot in the first inning, plating two runs on three hits. The leadoff man, Jake Ogden started the momentum with a leadoff double. 

Down 6-4, Daniel Cuvet hit a 409-foot blast to deep left field for a two-run home run to tie the game. However, the homer from Miami’s third baseman marked the Hurricanes last offensive output of the afternoon.

Stanford’s Japanese star Rintaro Sasaki followed Cuvet’s long ball with a 409-foot two-run home run of his own in the bottom of the fourth inning.

From that point, the Cardinal never wavered. It scored at least one run in each of the following innings besides the sixth.

Errors continue to plague Miami as they picked up four in the losing effort. Golden Spikes Award Watch List recipient, Cuvet, conceded two of the errors.

Freshmen Sebastian Santos-Olson and Jack Durso, both with Long Island ties, took the mound.

They each performed on opposite sides of the totem pole.

Santos-Olson allowed three runs on two hits in 1.1 innings of work, while Durso was dominant over two innings, allowing no hits.

Miami used seven pitchers in the losing effort, Stanford (17-19, 7-11 ACC) similarly used six. 

But, Stanford out hit Miami 16-to-9 and had 20 runners in scoring position compared to Miami’s eight. 

The Hurricanes (29-11, 10-8 ACC)  will travel back to Coral Gables and head to Boca Raton on Wednesday to take on the FAU Owls. 

First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. and can be found on ACCNX and WVUM 90.5 FM.

Your Instagram might matter more than who you are

Birdie Church
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Your Instagram might matter more than who you are

A person’s Instagram gives more than just a sneak peek into their life. It showcases their habits, hobbies, and, as bad as it is to say, even their tax bracket. Your grid isn’t random; it is a curated reflection of who you are and how you want to be perceived.

As early as the moment you’re accepted to the University of Miami, Instagram’s role begins. Your incoming student status is announced through the “UMiami 2030” pages, and the image starts immediately.

At a school like UM, this curated image isn’t harmless — it dictates who gets social opportunities and influence. 

A post that you have been to Ultra projects that you love to go out, and have no problem spending money doing so. Having your SolidCore or Strava as one of your highlights tells the world that you love to work out.

Both of these are simply assumptions based on posts, but it’s hard to invalidate these judgments when it is all a person actually has to judge you on. 

When deciding who to invite to Factory Town next Wednesday, the person who posted at Ultra is likely the one chosen. When choosing who to work out with, the person with a SolidCore post is the one you text. When you post, people respond, and at UM, those responses are a social currency. 

Going out in Miami is vast and wide; we have the typical college option of Greek life, as well as the endless possibilities of city life. Every part of it, however, has a touch of Instagram involvement.

“When I post with my friends in club dresses, usually promoters will swipe up with an invite somewhere, or at least like the story,” UM student Ami Bouzaglo said.

Instagram gets your face and existence out there to promoters, gaining more invites to more exclusive events. As for Greek life, sororities ask for your username during sign-ups, and having a “cool girl” feed is presumed to boost your chances at the house you want. 

Whether you want people to think you came to Miami for the education and weather, or if you want them to think you came for the raves and yachts, Instagram is the place to let everyone know. 

People are adaptive to the habits they see you post on social media, and how you want to be perceived is what you post on your Instagram. 

Before college, it was a reflection of who you were at home. Now in college, it shows everyone if you went on a yacht, to a nice dinner, to the beach, or even if you watched the sunset on campus, to let them know what you are interested in doing.

In a culture built on perception, your Instagram, whether it is representative of you or not, can change your whole college experience. 

 

Evans and Cuvet lead Canes to 6-3 Friday night road win over Stanford 

Omar Pinto
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Evans and Cuvet lead Canes to 6-3 Friday night road win over Stanford 

In the wee hours of the morning on the East Coast, the Hurricanes took down the Stanford Cardinal 6-3 in Palo Alto, Calif. The win saw the Canes improve to 28-10 on the year and 9-7 in conference play.

Starting pitcher Rob Evans took charge for the Hurricanes, throwing a career-high 7.2 innings, allowing just four hits and two runs, all while earning eight strikeouts. 

Junior third baseman Daniel Cuvet handled things on the offensive end, with three hits and two RBIs on the night.

The Hurricanes started out hot, scoring twice in the first inning thanks to an Alex Sosa RBI ground out and Derek Williams RBI sac fly to score another.

Pitching stayed strong until the bottom of the third when Stanford struck back, as Japanese phenom Rintaro Sasako ripped an RB single to left center field.

The Hurricanes responded quickly in the fourth. After a scorching double from Derek Williams, Brylan West fired a single right back up the middle, bringing home Williams. West moved to third on back-to-back groundouts and scored on a Parker Warren balk to give UM a 4-1 lead.

Defense and pitching took charge for both teams the following couple of innings. However, after over six innings of practically being untouched, the Cardinal finally got the best of Evans, with Eric Jeon launching a home run to deep left, bringing the score to 4-2.

The ninth inning saw Miami gain some insurance thanks to Cuvet, who launched a double to deep left center, scoring two, and making the game more or less out of reach for the Cardinal.

Stanford mustered just one run in the bottom half of the inning, and Miami walked away with a hard-fought conference victory.

Miami will look to get another series win against Stanford on ACCNX this weekend.

David Lebowitz, Photo Editor/ Junior Third Baseman Daniel Cuvet winds up to throw to first on Friday, February 13, 2026.

IMMEDIATE REACTION AND STANDOUTS from Spring Game and MBB Transfer Portal Breakdown

Liam Hickey
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Hurricanes Football just gave the world its first real glimpse into how the team will look after reaching the national championship last season, and new QB1 Darian Mensah went nuclear in his Miami debut.

Recapping everything that happened at Miami’s Spring Game and diving into the best plays and performances of the day. Breaking down how each positional group looked over the spring window and giving early predictions on who will start at each spot next season. 

Canes Men’s Hoops and Head Coach Jai Lucas are on the hunt for players to add out of the transfer portal, and they just landed their next cornerstone duo at Point Guard and Center. Evaluating Miami’s two newest signings in Acaden Lewis and Somto Cyril and how they will fit into Jai Lucas’s system next year.  

Canes etch names into record books at Tom Jones Memorial 

Alyssa Golden
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Canes etch names into record books at Tom Jones Memorial 

The University of Miami track and field team returned to Gainesville this weekend for the Tom Jones Memorial, turning in a series of performances that reshaped the program’s record book.  

The women’s team entered the meet ranked No. 23 in the USTFCCCA standings.  

Action on the track began in the 200m, where Sean Watkins Jr. won the event in 20.88 seconds, the third-fastest time in school history. In the invitational section of the 200m, George Franks matched his personal best with a time of 20.92, fourth all-time at Miami. 

In the distance events, Enrique Borrego clocked a personal-best 3:51.05 in the 1500m, moving into fifth place in program history.   

In the field, Jocelyn Pringle recorded a personal-best throw of 62.68m in the women’s hammer, solidifying her No. 2 mark in school history. Freshman Adriana Kruzmane continued her strong debut season in the triple jump, reaching 13.43m to improve her hold on the third-best mark in program history.  

Simultaneously at the Wake Forest Invitational, Hurricanes were still setting records. 

Miami’s top performance of the weekend came from Maddie Scheier who broke her own school record in the 3000m steeplechase. She finished in 10:19.72, shaving more than 10 seconds off her previous mark set last season.  

The Hurricanes will travel to Philadelphia next for the Penn Relays, which begins Thursday.   

Defense dominates, Mensah flashes in Miami’s spring game 

Alyssa Golden
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Defense dominates, Mensah flashes in Miami’s spring game 

After more than three months removed from a devastating national championship loss, over 5,000 fans gathered at Cobb Stadium on Saturday morning for a first look at Miami football’s 2026 squad.  

The annual spring game offered exactly that: a mix of evaluation and entertainment. Miami structured the day differently this year, using the first half for position drills, including passing, red zone and agility work, before transitioning into a live scrimmage in the second half.  

Much of the attention centered on new quarterback Darian Mensah, a transfer from Duke. While he started slow, Mensah quickly settled in and showed why he’s expected to lead the Hurricanes this fall.   

Mensah connected multiple times with familiar target Cooper Barkate, his former teammate at Duke. The duo picked up right where they left off, highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown to the back corner of the end zone. Mensah added a 33-yard touchdown pass to Daylyn Upshaw and a five-yard score to Cam Vaughn, another transfer addition.  

Calm in the pocket and effective under pressure, Mensah extended plays and delivered accurate throws, flashing the kind of playmaking ability Miami fans have been eager to see.  

With several returning starters such as wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher seeing limited action, opportunities opened for younger players to contribute. RB Jordan Lyle capitalized, breaking off multiple strong runs and showing quick footwork in the open field.  

Behind Mensah, Miami showcased its quarterback depth. Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel and early enrollee Dereon Coleman all saw snaps, with Nickel making a strong case for the backup role. Coleman flashed potential but remains a longer-term development piece.  

Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via IG // Miami quarterback Darian Mensah performs handshake with redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate during Miami’s Spring Game on April 18, 2026, at Cobb Stadium.

Defensively, Miami may have delivered the most impressive performance of the day.  

Despite losing key contributors such as Ruben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL, the Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage and limited offensive production. Defensive lineman Damon Wilson, a transfer from Missouri, along with tackles Justin Scott and Jarquez Carter, consistently disrupted plays. Scott’s quickness stood out against the run, while Wilson applied steady pressure off the edge.  

In the secondary, Boston College transfer Omar Thornton, along with JJ Dunnigan and Xavier Lucas, contributed to multiple stops with tight coverage and physical tackling.  

The offensive line, featuring several new faces and only one returning starter, showed flashes but remains a work in progress. Freshman Jackson Cantwell has big shoes to fill with Sisi Mauigoa declaring for the NFL draft. At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Cantwell acted as a brick wall protecting his QB and winning the battle at the line. However, the second team offensive line had some struggles, with two bad snaps in a row.  

For many in attendance, however, the spring game was about more than just performance. It served as a rare opportunity for families and fans to connect with the program in a more personal setting, celebrating players beyond what they show on the field.  

“It’s him fulfilling his dream and doing what he wants to do,” said the grandmother of wide receiver Milan Parris. “He’s my oldest grandson, and I’m just over the moon. I’m extremely proud of him.” 

While the defense may have controlled much of the action, the day ultimately served as an early glimpse into a team balancing new talent, developing depth and high expectations.  

With nearly five months until the season opener against Stanford on Sept. 4, Miami leaves the spring with promise and plenty to still refine.  

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