Fresh off a national title appearance, Mario Cristobal’s roster boasts elite talent. From record-breaking receiver Malachi Toney to star transfer Darian Mensah, three Miami Hurricanes now command the national spotlight.
MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of fall camp and the 2026 regular season, the Miami Hurricanes have several prolific players – rising and established stars. Coming off the National Championship game, coach Mario Cristobal and the team are looking to carve out another title run.
However, where do the players individually rank among college football’s best?
On Thursday morning, Pro Football Focus released a top-50 ranking, which featured three Hurricanes players. Coming off a historic freshman season, Malachi Toney finished at No. 5 on the list. He led the nation with 109 catches for 1,211 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns – receiving, rushing, and passing.
A deeper analysis: Toney recorded 841 yards after the catch and 33 missed tackles forced after the catch.
The 18-year-old likely won’t repeat as the nation’s leader in catches this upcoming season, given the Hurricanes’ revamped wide receiver core, but the winning impact is expected to be greater. Toney will draw attention from several defenses, creating opportunities for everyone else.
Following the Liberty City native is the one throwing him the ball – Darian Mensah – No. 29. He’s coming off a remarkable season at Duke: 334 of 500 passes completed, 66.8 percent, throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns (both ACC-led categories), and six interceptions. Mensah delivered the Blue Devils' program its first conference football title since 1989.
As one of college football’s most prolific returning quarterbacks, the 21-year-old is expected to deliver a greater impact at Coral Gables. He’s a legitimate gun-slinging threat who can extend plays by himself when needed. Although the Hurricanes have found tremendous success with transfer portal quarterbacks, such as Cam Ward and Carson Beck, Mensah is expected to exceed them.
Finally on the list, safety Bryce Fitzgerald at No. 42. Similar to Toney, the Miami native delivered an immediate impact as a freshman. He logged 16 total tackles, 10 solos and six assists, a tackle for loss, a sack, two passes broken up, eight passes defended, and led the ACC with six interceptions.
Despite no pick-sixes, Fitzgerald picked off Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed twice in the College Football Playoffs, including at the goal line to seal the 10-3 victory and advance. He’s projected as a full-time starter ahead of a sophomore campaign.
Fitzgerald was named to the Lott Impact Trophy watchlist – annually honoring the nation’s top defensive player.
The Hurricanes are swarming with talent and it’s arguably the best roster coach Mario Cristobal and the staff assembled in recent program history.
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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
