After a dominant postseason and record-breaking playoff run, the bruising homegrown star returns to Coral Gables to chase the Miami Hurricanes' all-time rushing record and first-round draft status.
Miami, FL. – The Miami Hurricanes’ offense this past season under quarterback Carson Beck wasn’t as explosive as it was when Cam Ward was at the helm. However, there was stability, mainly because of the run game. Despite Jordan Lyle falling in the depth chart due to battling injuries throughout the year, even after starting in the season opener against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it presented an opportunity for Mark Fletcher Jr. to emerge as a national star.
The 21-year-old is coming off a career season: rushing 216 times for 1,192 yards, scoring 14 total touchdowns in 14 games, including 12 starts. Despite being eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft, he decided to return for a senior season. As Fletcher Jr. will very likely remain a Hurricanes starter, the homegrown prospect has an opportunity to be regarded as one of the best running backs in the nation, potentially the very best.
In PFF’s 2027 big board, the former four-star recruit was given a No. 30 overall ranking, the best among the position.
“Fletcher most recently scored two touchdowns in the National Championship Game and returns to Miami as one of the most established names in college football,” they wrote. “He is a gap-style runner at heart who thrives between the tackles.”
The star running back had the 18th-most rushing yards this past season, the most in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He is currently seventh in the Hurricanes’ all-time rushing list, only 1,206 shy of the record.
Fletcher Jr. exploded in the College Football Playoffs: rushing 75 times for a record-breaking 507 yards, scoring three total touchdowns in four games, all starts. He came through with meaningful plays, which helped the Hurricanes succeed. In the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Fletcher Jr. was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
The Hurricanes star doesn’t need to finish with the most rushing yards after next season, but continue to impact winning at a high level. Fletcher Jr. has the potential to be a first-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. The Fort Lauderdale native can play in the passing game, provide extra blocking protection for quarterbacks, has great speed, and provides size: listed at 6-2, 225 pounds.
Fletcher Jr. has all the intangibles to be the best running back in the nation next season, especially as the Hurricanes are coming off a National Championship appearance. There will be a significant amount of eyes on the team, including on Fletcher Jr., which will result in elevated draft stock and national status.
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