Miami’s roster is loaded enough to make preseason lists feel almost crowded, and that’s exactly where the Hurricanes find themselves entering 2026. After a 13-3 season and a trip to the National Championship game, the program is carrying the kind of expectations that come with top-end talent and a pile of returning production. Miami brings back the ACC’s passing, receiving, and rushing yard leaders from last season, and that kind of backbone is hard to ignore.
Before the Hurricanes even take a snap in fall camp, ACC Digital Network analyst Wes Bryant has already put seven Miami players on his latest Preseason All-ACC Team. It’s a strong signal of how much respect this group has earned, and how many individual honors could be waiting if the season unfolds the way Miami hopes.
At running back, Bryant slotted Mark Fletcher Jr. into the second spot behind Louisville’s Isaac Brown. The local star is coming off a historic College Football Playoff run that produced a record-breaking 507 rushing yards.
Malachi Toney shows up twice on Bryant’s list, landing at second wide receiver and as the lone All-Purpose Back. The freshman was electric last season, leading the nation with 109 catches for 1,211 yards. Duke transfer Cooper Barkate also made the cut, earning the third wide receiver spot.
On defense, Mohamed Toure was named to the third linebacker slot. He’s heading into an eighth college football season and looking to finish a long career with something memorable.
Bryce Fitzgerald was the first safety on Bryant’s board after leading the ACC with six interceptions last season. Like Toney, the Miami native made an immediate impact as a freshman, only his came on the defensive side.
Mensah rounded out the Hurricanes’ presence by earning Bryant’s vote for ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
For Miami, the message is clear: the talent is there, and the preseason recognition is piling up. Now the Hurricanes have to turn all that promise into the kind of season their roster suggests is possible.
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Miamis First Fall Camp Depth Chart Raises Two Huge Offensive Questions
With fall camp set to open in about ten days, Miamis offense is already taking shape in broad strokes, even if the final picture is far from complete. The early projection has Darian Mensah at quarterback with Luke Nickel behind him, Mark Fletcher and CharMar Brown leading the backfield, and Elija Lofton positioned to handle the tight end role as the Hurricanes start sorting out who can be trusted when the real competition begins.
The more interesting part for Miami is how much of the depth chart still feels up for grabs, especially along the line and at receiver, where offseason work and camp reps could still change the conversation before Stanford comes to town. That uncertainty is exactly why this first look matters: it gives the Hurricanes a baseline, but it also shows how many offensive jobs will be decided by what happens once the pads come on. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Is Suddenly In The Middle Of A Massive Recruiting Moment
Miamis recruiting momentum is starting to look less like a hot streak and more like a long-term plan coming together. The Hurricanes already have a nationally ranked 2027 class, have picked up verbal pledges for 2028 and now find themselves in the mix for one of the countrys most coveted young defenders in Asher Ghioto, a five-star edge rusher who has made multiple unofficial visits to campus.
Ghioto has seen plenty of major programs and still has more stops ahead during the 2026 season, but Miami is clearly positioned near the front of the line. The appeal is obvious: a chance to develop under defensive line coach Jason Taylor and follow a path the Hurricanes have been selling aggressively, even if the final call is still a ways off. [Read more 🡒]