Miami Hurricanes Announce Week One Captains Against Stanford

MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes announced eight captains ahead of Week 1’s season opener against Stanford on Friday night.

Starting with new star quarterback Darian Mensah, who’s set to make his debut. He’s coming off a remarkable season at Duke, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference by throwing for yards and 34 touchdowns. Mensah is looking to lead a revamped Hurricanes offense, featuring several prolific playmakers, including co-captain and wide receiver Malachi Toney.

The 18-year-old rising star is coming off a historic freshman season. However, Toney’s focus isn’t on reflecting on the past, but on improving moving forward. He’s proven to be impactful in a variety of ways. Toney doesn’t just complete catches, but also rushes and throws the ball. Leadership is another big responsibility for him this season.

Local star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is another offensive captain. The backfield star is coming off a historic College Football Playoff stretch. In 75 attempts, Fletcher Jr. rushed for a record-breaking 507 yards and scored three touchdowns. The 21-year-old looks to cap off a four-year chapter with the Coral Gables program on a high note.

The last offensive captain is offensive lineman Matthew McCoy. A consistent question surrounding the team, from spring to fall, has been, ‘How will the team replace four starters?' McCoy returns with experience and expanded leadership.

Starting on the defensive side of the field, eighth-year linebacker Mohmaed Toure. Last season, as a transfer from Rutgers, he led the team with 84 total tackles. Toure is expected to conclude a long tenure in college football.

From the line of scrimmage, defensive tackle Justin Scott. Last season, he broke through with 26 total tackles, 15 solos and 11 assists, 6.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.

A couple of members of the secondary received captain honors.

From the cornerback room is Xavier Lucas. Last season, as a Wisconsin transfer, he was a key starter for the Hurricanes’ secondary. Lucas finished with 45 tackles for loss, 30 solos and 15 assists, two tackles for loss, a sack, eight passes broken up, and one interception.

Alongside him is safety Zechariah Poyser. Last season, as a Jacksonville State transfer, he was another key starter in the Hurricanes’ secondary. Poyser totaled 68 total tackles, 42 solos and 26 assists, three tackles for loss, a sack, and six passes broken up.

The Hurricanes will kick off Friday’s game against the Cardinal at 9:00 p.m. E.T., televised on ESPN.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports