After passing on the NFL Draft, the homegrown star returns to Coral Gables, headlining a veteran backfield poised to lead the Miami Hurricanes toward another title run.
MIAMI, Fla. – Following the National Championship loss, the Miami Hurricanes went and accomplished something greater: retaining an entire running backs room. In today’s world of college sports, the transfer portal and NIL can easily break rosters apart, but those factors didn’t take full effect in Coral Gables.
Among the returners is local star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. Despite not starting in the season opener against Notre Dame, he rushed 216 times for 1,192 yards, scoring 14 total touchdowns for the season.
The Fort Lauderdale native had the opportunity to take full advantage of a breakthrough performance in the College Football Playoffs and declare for the NFL Draft. Instead, Fletcher Jr. decided to return for a senior season – along with the rest of the supporting cast from last year. He’s one of college football’s most prolific backfield stars with a well-balanced combination of power and speed.
According to ESPN, Fletcher Jr. is the fourth-best running back ahead of the 2026 season. He finished behind the following:
- No. 1: Ole Miss Rebels junior Kewan Lacy
- No. 2: Florida Gators junior Jadan Baugh
- No. 3: Missouri Tigers junior Ahmad Hardy
However, within the piece, an anonymous ACC personnel director made an interesting remark:
“I wouldn't say he's on the same level as [Lacy, Baugh and Hardy] in terms of what they can do with the ball in their hands.”
Among the running backs ahead of Fletcher Jr., only Lacy made the College Football Playoffs. In the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl semifinals against the Hurricanes, he rushed 11 times for 107 yards, scoring a 73-yard touchdown. Despite throwing the first punch of the game, Lacy was limited throughout the final three quarters with injuries.
Fletcher Jr. was on the rise throughout the regular season, but exploded in the College Football Playoffs. In four games, he rushed 75 times for a record-breaking 507 yards, scoring three total touchdowns, two against Indiana in the National Championship. When the Hurricanes struggled offensively, the simple solution was to hand Fletcher Jr. the ball and create something out of nothing.
Although “The U” hadn’t lived up to its history in recent years, the homegrown hero played a pivotal role in its resurgence. Before fall camp commences, the Hurricanes are among the National Championship favorites. Despite a couple of changes at quarterback and the wide receiver core, the backfield has familiarity.
Fletcher Jr. could continue to climb the ranks and finish next season as the nation’s best running back.
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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
