Pro Football Focus sees plenty to like in Miami as the Hurricanes head toward the 2026 season.
Three Miami players cracked PFF’s top 50, with sophomore wideout Malachi Toney leading the way at No. 5 overall. Quarterback Darian Mensah checked in at No. 29, and safety Bryce Fitzgerald landed at No.
- The list is based on PFF grades, advanced data and future projections.
Toney was the highest-ranked Hurricane and one of the top receivers on the board, trailing only Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith at his position. Overall, he finished behind Smith, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin.
His 2025 season gave Miami exactly the kind of spark that turns a good offense into a dangerous one. Toney was the engine behind the Hurricanes’ run to the CFP, piling up 841 yards after the catch and 33 forced missed tackles after the catch, both FBS-best marks. He also led the nation with 58 catches that went for either a first down or a touchdown.
Miami added more help at receiver this offseason, bringing in Duke transfer Cooper Barkate along with Cam Vaughn and Vandrevius Jacobs. That should make life tougher for defenses trying to key on Toney alone.
Mensah’s spot at No. 29 reflects how well PFF viewed his work as a passer. He earned an 85.0 grade, which ranked 12th among FBS quarterbacks, and his 28 big-time throws were sixth in the country.
The Hurricanes have now gone portal shopping at quarterback in each of the past three seasons, landing Cam Ward, then Carson Beck and now Mensah. Miami is expecting Mensah to keep that trend going while he works behind a rebuilt offensive line.
Fitzgerald rounds out Miami’s trio in the top 50 after a breakout season that included six interceptions, tied for the most by any Power Four player. Two of those picks came in Miami’s College Football Playoff win over Texas A&M, including the end-zone interception that finished off the victory.
PFF gave Fitzgerald an 80.7 overall grade, good for fifth among qualified ACC safeties. Miami will lean on him heavily in 2026 after losing veterans Jakobe Thomas and Keionte Scott.
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