Fresh off a championship run, a revamped Miami Hurricanes roster dominates the preseason rankings as breakout stars and Heisman hopefuls aim to cement the program's national dominance.
MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of fall camp and the 2026 college football season, the Miami Hurricanes are projected as one of the nation’s best teams. Despite losing several players who were significant factors in a historic 13-3 season, including a run to the National Championship game, the program successfully revamped and addressed multiple voids.
New roles mean an extended opportunity for others to earn recognition from a conference or national radar. Meanwhile, some are looking to add another accolade next to their name.
Phil Steele, an American sportswriter and football analyst, released his annual College Football Preview magazine. In the recent publication were the 66-year-old’s All-Atlantic Coast Conference and All-American preseason lists, which featured several Hurricanes players – some familiar names and newcomers.
In Steele’s All-ACC preseason list are the following:
- First Team
Safety Bryce Fitzgerald (Sophomore)
Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. (Redshirt senior)
Wide receiver Malachi Toney (Sophomore)
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (Senior)
Quarterback Darian Mensah (Redshirt junior)
- Second Team
Long snapper Adam Booker (Redshirt senior)
Defensive tackle Justin Scott (Junior)
Linebacker Mohamed Toure (Graduate Student)
Wide receiver Cooper Barkate (Redshirt senior)
- Third Team
Offensive Lineman Matthew McCoy (Redshirt senior)
Cornerback Xavier Lucas (Junior)
Safety Zechariah Poyser (Redshirt junior)
Punter Dylan Joyce (Senior)
Edge rusher Damon Wilson II (Senior)
- Fourth Team
Offensive lineman Samson Okunlola
The Hurricanes featured on Steele’s All-American list were more exclusive: Fletcher Jr., Moten Sr., and Toney.
In the 89 years of the University of Miami football program’s history, several stars and Pro Football Hall of Famers once repped “The U,” including Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Warren Sapp, and Andre Johnson, among others. Several of the players who Steele mentioned will have an opportunity to share a spot among the greats.
Toney is emerging as one of college football’s most prolific stars. The local Liberty City native had a historic freshman season: catching a nation’s high 109 passes for 1,211 yards, scoring 13 total touchdowns – receiving, rushing, and passing. Along with an All-American trajectory, the 18-year-old is viewed as an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
The Hurricanes are nationally viewed as the ACC’s best team. Given the upcoming schedule, they have more than enough talent to finish undefeated. However, projections don’t win games on the field.
From the very first snap, the pressure will be heavy. For the first time – in so long – there are National Championship aspirations surrounding Coral Gables.
The Hurricanes have several prolific players looking to earn career accolades – completely capable of making it happen.
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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
