February might be the quiet season on the college football calendar, but in Coral Gables, things are anything but sleepy. While most programs are catching their breath post-bowl season, Miami has been busy stacking talent-and the results are turning heads nationally.
According to 247Sports, the Hurricanes have landed the No. 4 transfer portal class in the country. That’s not a small feat, especially for a team that wasn’t exactly in rebuild mode to begin with. This is a program that’s been trending upward under Mario Cristobal, and this latest portal haul feels like another step toward serious contention.
At the heart of Miami’s transfer success is quarterback Darian Mensah, the top-ranked signal-caller to change teams this cycle and No. 6 overall in the portal. The former Duke standout brings poise, arm talent, and mobility-and perhaps just as importantly, he brings familiarity.
His go-to receiver in Durham, Cooper Barkate, is making the move with him. That kind of built-in chemistry is rare in the portal era and could pay off quickly.
Mensah marks the third straight cycle where Cristobal has landed a high-end quarterback from the portal, following Cam Ward and Carson Beck. That kind of consistency at the most important position on the field is no accident-Cristobal knows what he wants under center, and he’s getting it.
And Mensah’s not walking into a bare cupboard. Miami’s entire running back room is back, giving the offense a sturdy foundation.
Add in Barkate, plus new wideouts Cam Vaughn (West Virginia) and Dre Jacobs (South Carolina), and this receiver corps suddenly has both depth and game-breaking speed. If you're a Hurricanes fan, you’ve got to like how this offense is shaping up.
In the trenches, Miami addressed a key need by bringing in 6-foot-7 offensive lineman Jamal Meriweather. He’s the kind of big, athletic body Cristobal loves to build around up front, and he’ll be part of an offensive line that’s still evolving but clearly being prioritized.
Defensively, Miami didn’t just reload-they restocked across the board.
The headliner is Damon Wilson, a disruptive EDGE out of Missouri who finished third in the SEC with nine sacks and led the Tigers in quarterback hurries. With Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor headed to the NFL, Wilson won’t have the luxury of easing in-he’s going to be counted on from Day 1.
The ‘Canes also added Keona Davis and Jarquez Carter to bolster the defensive line rotation, giving the unit more depth and physicality. Up front, this group looks built to rotate and stay fresh, which is exactly what you need in today’s high-tempo game.
In the secondary, Miami brings in Boston College’s Omar Thornton, who racked up 82 tackles last year and looks like a plug-and-play starter at safety. He’s joined by Conrad Hussey, a rising talent who adds more versatility to the back end.
All told, this is a transfer class that checks just about every box-starting quarterback, offensive weapons, trench help, and proven defensive playmakers. Miami didn’t just dip into the portal; they dove in headfirst and came out with a group that can make an immediate impact.
Cristobal has made it clear: the goal isn’t just to compete-it’s to contend. And with this kind of offseason work, the Hurricanes are building a roster that looks ready to do just that.