Boasting the league’s top returning stat leaders and high-profile transfers, the Miami Hurricanes dominate the preseason honors as the program aims to translate roster talent into an ACC title.
MIAMI, Fla. – Coming off a 13-3 season and reaching the National Championship game, the Miami Hurricanes will surely win the Atlantic Coast Conference, right? Despite no guarantees, the amount of talent on the roster is undeniable. They have the league’s passing, receiving, and rushing yard leaders from last season.
It’s a promising puzzle being put together.
The Hurricanes enter fall camp as the favorites to the ACC, return to the College Football Playoffs, and carve out another National Championship run. Several familiar faces on the roster could be on the brink of a breakthrough, resulting in individual accolades. Before playing a single snap in the 2026 college football season, ACC Digital Network’s Wes Bryant has seven Hurricanes players listed on the latest Preseason All-ACC Team.
Darian Mensah was put in the quarterback’s lone slot. Last season, he led the ACC with 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns at Duke. Mensah delivered the Blue Devils program its first ACC title since 1989. Despite getting sacked 28 times, he delivered a remarkable redshirt sophomore campaign.
The 21-year-old is expected to make another jump in production, this time in “The U” uniform.
Bryant put Mark Fletcher Jr. in the second running back slot – behind Louisville’s Isaac Brown. The local star is coming off a historic College Football Playoff stretch: a record-breaking 507 rushing yards.
Afterwards, Malachi Toney was placed in the second wide receiver and the lone All-Purpose Back slot. He caught a nation-leading 109 passes for 1,211 yards as a freshman last season. Duke transfer Cooper Barkate took the third wide receiver slot.
Bryant placed Ahmad Moten Sr. in the first defensive tackle slot. He’s coming off a breakout season: 31 total tackles, 20 solos and 11 assists, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 14 games (all starts). Despite the departures of edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., Moten Sr. is expected to deliver a similar dominant impact.
In the third linebacker slot is Mohamed Toure. He returns for an eighth college football season and looks to end a long chapter on a high note.
The first safety on Bryant’s list is Bryce Fitzgerald. The Miami native led the ACC with six interceptions last season. He delivered a similar freshman impact as Toney, but on the defensive side of the field.
Finally, Mensah earns the vote for ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
A big year for “The U” is aligned with all the talent.
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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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