Injury setbacks sideline two key offensive weapons for the Miami Hurricanes, forcing Mario Cristobal to lean on young depth as the team navigates a reshuffled rotation.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Unfortunate news broke on Monday morning, as Miami Hurricanes redshirt junior and running back CharMar “Marty” Brown and sophomore wide receiver Joshua Moore have been ruled out for the rest of the 2026 college football season, head coach Mario Cristobal announced on the Joe Rose Show.
The 21-year-old didn’t play in the second half of last Friday’s 33-20 win over Wake Forest at Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In the second quarter, Brown rushed for 32 yards and was brought down at the goal line. However, during the tackle, the Omaha (Neb.) native’s right knee appeared to have hyperextended.
Brown initially returned to the Hurricanes’ sideline with the help of the coaching staff. After a firsthand review, he was carted to the locker room. Brown’s season concludes with 109 all-purpose yards (97 rushing and 12 receiving) and a touchdown against Stanford.
The Hurricanes lose a 5-11 and 220-pound powerful and versatile running back.
Moore was taking on an expanded role this season, coming off a productive freshman campaign. He sustained an upper body injury, as Cristobal said. Moore had caught seven passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns this season. He was on pace to surpass last year’s production.
The Hurricanes lose a 6-4 and 220-pound wide receiver. However, it’s an opportunity for Vandrevius Jacobs, Somourian Wingo, and Vance Spafford to step up.
Last spring, Brown was among the 19 new transfers coming to the Coral Gables program. He
was coming off a remarkable 2024 season in the Football Championship Subdivision at North Dakota State. Brown rushed 244 times for 1,181 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games (five starts).
The former three-star recruit won the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the most outstanding freshman player in FCS.
Brown was impactful for the Hurricanes last season, taking a backseat role to local star Mark Fletcher Jr. He rushed 122 times for 474 yards and scored seven touchdowns in 15 games. Brown delivered great contributions to the Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship. He scored a touchdown against Ohio State and Ole Miss.
Given the loss in the running back room, the Hurricanes will have to elevate a few players on the depth chart.
Freshman Javian Mallory is off to a strong start this season. He’s currently second on the team with 196 yards on 20 rushing attempts. Mallory has scored two touchdowns, both against Florida A&M.
Sophomore Girard Pringle Jr. has logged just 38 total snaps to start the season. He will likely see an increase in playing time. Pringle Jr. showed flashes last year in the last four games of the regular season. He rushed 48 times for 302 yards and scored two total touchdowns, including a start against North Carolina State.
Junior Jordan Lyle faced a setback this season with a legal case involving alleged fleeing from police. He has yet to play, but traveled with the Hurricanes for the Wake Forest matchup.
Redshirt sophomores Chris Weatley-Humphrey and Jack Whitehouse could be looked upon to absorb a few snaps.
Brown is eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft, but it’s very unlikely he declares, as the journey to recover begins.
Screenshot of Brown’s Instagram StoryAnthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
