Should the Miami Hurricanes Pivot From Transfer Portal Quarterback Success Rate?

MIAMI, Fla. – In three consecutive seasons, the Miami Hurricanes have greatly benefited from transfer potral quarterbacks; however, the trend and success rate is likely to come to an end.

Other than head coach Mario Cristobal alluding to moving forward with the recruited talent during the Atlantic Coast Conference's Kickoff Media Day in mid-July, the market doesn't appear to be as attractive as before.

The following quarterbacks have signed new N.I.L. deals and are retained for the 2027 college football season:

- Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State; $7.5 million)

- Austin Simmons (Missouri)

- Braden Atkinson (Oregon State)

If any of them were to be available, the Hurricanes would very likely explore the option. Others who have been rumored to enter the portal are Dante Moore (Oregon) and Arch Manning (Texas), but those could be too far of a reach, especially as both are NFL-eligible.

The rest of the projected market isn't as sharp, such as Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), CJ Bailey (North Carolina State), Aaron Philo (Florida), and Bryce Underwood (Michigan), etc.

An option that would be significant, if availabile, is Wake Forest's Gio Lopez. He has completed 153 of 228 passes (67.1 percent) while throwing for 2,176 yards and 18 touchdowns with one interception. However, Demon Deacons head coach Jake Dickert has reportedly agreed on an extension on Thursday.

Lopez will unlikely leave the continuity that is now established.

Without any enticing candidates, the Hurricanes can focus on the talent developing behind the scenes.

Redshirt freshman Luke Nickel is this season's backup, behind star Darian Mensah. He has appeared in four games, but made a strong impression in the Hurricanes' 77-7 win over Florida A&M on Sept. 10 at Hard Rock Stadium. Nickel completed eight of eight passes (100 percent) while throwing for 144 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Freshman and former three-star recruit Dereon Coleman is the Hurricanes' third-stringer. The 19-year-old only appeared this season against Florida A&M – all in the fourth quarter. Coleman completed five of six passes (83.3 percent) while throwing for 30 yards.

Redshirt sophomore Judd Anderson is currently serving as a member on the practice squad. He is likely to enter the transfer portal in Janurary.

Plus, five-star recruit and Hurricanes commit Israel Abrams is a projected incoming freshman, which becomes officially on December's National Signing Day.

Unlike the last three springs, the Coral Gables program won't need to look far for the next offensive facilitator.

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