With top transfer targets unavailable, the Miami Hurricanes may unearth their next star signal-caller from within their own ranks.
As the Miami Hurricanes prepare for the biggest stage of college football, the National Championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers, there might be concerns regarding the team's future. Quarterback Carson Beck is set to play his final game, having no NCAA eligibility left, and will likely declare for the upcoming NFL draft. The Hurricanes have found tremendous success with transfer portal quarterbacks over the last couple of years, with him and Cam Ward, who eventually became the first pick in last year's draft.
However, the market has gone cold as numerous highly-valued candidates have committed to other schools. The latest reports were the Hurricanes missing out on Sam Leavitt to Lane Kiffin and LSU and attempting to lure Ty Simpson, who rejected their $6.5 million offer and declared for the upcoming NFL draft.
Outside of Beck, there are four other quarterbacks on the roster who could make a case to take over for next season. Redshirt sophomore Emory Williams is the most experienced out of the pack, completing 73 of 116 passes, 62.9 percent, for 813 yards, throwing for four touchdowns and two interceptions in 12 total games. The most he's played in a single season is five games.
Borchers, Nickel, and Anderson don't have any experience playing at the collegiate level.
The Hurricanes have a singular quarterback as part of the 2026 recruiting class, Dereon Coleman. He's a three-star recruit coming from Jones High School, where he completed 513 of 716 passes, 71.6 percent, for 8,397 yards, throwing for 72 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 43 total games. Coleman received offers and interest from numerous programs, such as the Oklahoma Sooners, Auburn Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, and many others, before committing to the Hurricanes on July 3rd, 2024.
It may appear as a longshot for a freshman quarterback to run the Hurricanes' offense, but this season has shown how significant freshmen can impact winning, such as star wide receiver Malachi Toney, safety Bryce Fitzgerald, and running back Girard Pringle Jr.
There's also the chance that a candidate decommits and re-enters the transfer portal. A situation to keep an eye on is with the Oregon Ducks. Dante Moore announced on Wednesday about his decision to return for his senior year, despite being projected as a high first-round NFL draft pick. Dylan Raiola committed to the program on Monday after two years in the Big 10 with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
If the 20-year-old decides to find a situation where he can be an immediate starter, the Hurricanes could be viewed as a legitimate destination.
It's an interesting situation to continue observing as it unfolds. Meanwhile, the National Championship stage is set for Jan. 19th, at Hard Rock Stadium, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
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