After falling just short in the national championship, it would’ve been easy for Miami fans to feel like the window had closed. The Hurricanes had just wrapped up a season fueled by a dominant defense, anchored by stars like Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor, Keionte Scott, and Jakobe Thomas.
The kind of unit that doesn’t come around often. So when the final drive ended the same way two earlier losses had - with a Carson Beck interception - it was hard not to wonder if that was Miami’s best shot.
But if you thought Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes were going to sit back and let that be the story, think again.
Reload, Not Rebuild
Miami wasted no time in the transfer portal, retooling a defense that was among the best in the country last season. The headline grabber?
Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II. He racked up nine sacks for the Tigers and brings first-round potential off the edge.
He’s not Bain Jr., and he’s not Mesidor - but pairing him with Hayden Lowe and Marquise Lightfoot gives Miami a trio that can still cause serious problems for opposing quarterbacks.
In the secondary, Boston College safety Omar Thornton joins the mix. He brings physicality and could slide into the “thumper” role vacated by Jakobe Thomas. It’s a key spot in Miami’s scheme, and Thornton’s presence gives the Hurricanes a chance to keep that edge in the back end.
Defensive Core Stays Intact
Even more important than who Miami added is who they kept. Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is back in the middle, where he was a disruptive force all year. Mo Toure returns for his eighth season - yes, eighth - bringing leadership and experience that’s hard to quantify but impossible to ignore.
In the secondary, corners Xavier Lucas, OJ Frederique, and Damari Brown are all reportedly returning. That’s a huge boost for a defense that thrived on communication and chemistry.
Losing linebacker Popo Aguirre stings, no doubt. But in today’s college football, you’re not going to retain everyone.
The key is keeping enough of your core - and Miami has done that.
Offensive Line: The Big Question
On offense, the spotlight shifts to the line. Last year’s unit was one of the best in the country - physical, disciplined, and flat-out nasty. Replacing that group was always going to be a challenge.
There’s some new blood coming in. Georgia transfer Jamal Meriweather is a massive presence at 6'7", 305 pounds.
He’ll compete right away. So will Johnathan Cline, a transfer from ETSU.
And with Jackson Cantwell expected to start from day one, the Hurricanes have the makings of a new-look front.
But let’s be real - it won’t be what it was in 2025. That group was special.
The kind of offensive line that sets the tone for an entire season. Still, with Cristobal and OL coach Alex Mirabal overseeing the rebuild, there’s reason to believe this unit will find its footing.
Different Paths, Same Destination
What’s encouraging is that Miami has already shown it can win in different ways. In 2024, it was the offense that carried the load - explosive, creative, and dangerous.
The defense? Not so much.
But they were a couple of stops away from a playoff spot.
Fast forward to 2025, and the script flipped. The defense was elite, the offense more methodical but still effective. That formula got them within 41 yards of a national title.
So the blueprint is flexible. Miami doesn’t need to be elite on both sides of the ball. They just need to be good enough in both phases - and based on what’s returning and what’s coming in, that’s well within reach.
Offensive Firepower Incoming?
And then there’s the potential cherry on top: Duke’s Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate. If Miami can land both, the offense takes a major step forward.
Mensah brings dual-threat ability at quarterback, while Barkate is a proven playmaker at wide receiver. Together, they could provide the balance this team needs to complement its defense.
Of course, there’s still some legal and logistical drama surrounding their status. But the writing’s on the wall. The longer this drags out, the more likely it is that Duke and the players part ways - and if that happens, Miami is in prime position to benefit.
Looking Ahead
The Hurricanes aren’t just trying to run it back. They’re reloading with purpose.
The defense still has teeth. The offense is in transition, but not in freefall.
And if the portal additions come through - especially at quarterback and receiver - Miami has a real shot to be the ACC favorite and a legitimate playoff contender in 2026.
The heartbreak of coming up just short last season still lingers. But make no mistake - the Hurricanes are far from finished.