Bolstered by a revamped roster and high-profile transfers, the Miami Hurricanes secure a top-five preseason slot as the program aim to defend a status among college football's elite.
Miami, Fla. – As fall camp approaches, there are currently 13 weeks before the Miami Hurricanes step on the field in California to kick off the season against the Stanford Cardinal. Given the roster ramifications with transfer portal acquisitions and in-house rising developments, the team is expected to be among the best in the nation, but how high exactly?
In a recent preseason ranking by The Athletic, the Hurricanes finished fifth among the top 25–falling behind the following:
- No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers
- No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
- No. 3 Oregon Ducks
- No. 4 Texas Longhorns
Despite losing several key players from the National Championship run, coach Mario Cristobal and the program managed to fill those voids. They have 13 newcomers from the portal, including All-ACC quarterback Darian Mensah. Following a career season with the Duke Blue Devils, the 21-year-old is looking to take another step in production in South Florida and lead another title chase.
The Hurricanes revamped the wide receiver core around local star Malachi Toney with South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs, West Virginia transfer Cam Vaughn, and All-ACC Duke transfer and Mensah’s teammate Cooper Barkate. Plus, the program has a couple of in-house sophomores in Daylyn Upshaw and Joshua Moore, who are looking to take on expanded roles.
In a world of college sports where continuity is rare, the Hurricanes managed to retain the entire running backs core, including local star Mark Fletcher Jr., who returned for a senior season.
Despite losing edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. to the NFL Draft–both selected as first–rounders–Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II is looking to fill the void and take a similar path to success under defensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. Plus, the program will finally see former five-star recruit and redshirt freshman Hayden Lowe in action–not playing a single game last year due to recovering from offseason surgery.
If last season accounts for anything, the Hurricanes should have been ranked above Oregon and Texas. Both programs had National Championship aspirations last season, but fell drastically short.
The Longhorns finished at No. 13 in the Selection Committee’s final rankings, missing the College Football Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Ducks made it, but proceeded to get blown out by the Hoosiers in a 56-22 outing in the Peach Bowl semifinals.
The Hurricanes defeated the Texas A&M Aggies, Buckeyes, and Ole Miss Rebels en route to the National Championship game–being the underdog in all matchups.
Top-five is respectable, but given the two ahead raises questions.
- Several Miami Hurricanes baseball players earned All-ACC honors, including a few first-timers.
- The Miami Hurricanes basketball program is reportedly scheduled to open the upcoming season against an in-state rival.
- Coach Mario Cristobal believes the Miami Hurricanes should face an in-state rival every year.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
