Following a historic national title run, Mario Cristobal’s squad bolsters a star-studded roster with elite transfers to end the program's twenty-year conference championship drought this season.
MIAMI, Fla. – Coming off a historic 13-3 season and reaching the National Championship, the Miami Hurricanes have high hopes entering fall camp. It took some time, but Mario Cristobal has successfully turned “The U” around for the better. However, expectations arise not only on the Coral Gables campus but across the nation.
It starts with winning the Atlantic Coast Conference. The program has yet to claim the title since joining in 2004. However, the drought is expected to end this upcoming college football season. According to the ACC’s Preseason Poll, the Hurricanes are the favorites to win, earning 165 votes.
Darian Mensah will play a critical role in achieving what hasn’t been done in “The U’s” history. He led Duke to its first ACC Football Championship since 1989 last season. The Blue Devils’ star quarterback made a last-minute decision to enter the transfer portal and start a new chapter in South Florida. Alongside him came wide receiver Cooper Barkate.
The Hurricanes landed two All-ACC Second Team honorees.
Barkate shares a wide receiver room with rising star Malachi Toney. Both are the only ACC playmakers to record over 1,100 receiving yards last season. The rest of the wide receiver room has several breakout candidates, including Joshua Moore, South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs, and Daylyn Upshaw.
The Hurricanes retained the entire running back production from last season. Program star Mark Fletcher Jr. decided to hold off on the NFL Draft and return for a senior season. He broke a College Football Playoff record with 507 rushing yards. Behind him remain CharMar Brown, Jordan Lyle, and Girard Pringle Jr.
Along with all the veterans, the Hurricanes have one of the nation’s best projected freshman starters in Jackson Cantwell. He’s likely to play at left tackle, protecting Mensah’s blind side. Cantwell was an elite five-star and top-10 recruit from this year’s high school graduating class.
Winning the ACC would provide the Hurricanes with an automatic bid into the College Football Playoffs – potentially a first-round bye. It would give them the advantage of rest and preparation. The Hurricanes battled through injuries in last year’s National Championship run, especially in the secondary.
The SMU Mustangs came in second on the ACC Preseason Poll with six first-place votes. Despite all the outside expectations, Cristobal’s “1-0” motto remains a priority within the program. The Hurricanes always had a high standard, but last year’s run revived it.
However, the journey starts with fall camp opening next week.
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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
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