As the Darian Mensah situation continues to hang in the air with no clear resolution in sight, Mario Cristobal is staying locked in on what he can control - namely, reshaping the 2026 Miami Hurricanes roster and building an offensive line that can hold its own in the trenches next fall.
While much of the attention around Miami’s offseason has centered on elite transfer target Jordan Seaton, Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal just made a move that might not grab the same headlines, but could end up being just as impactful.
Georgia transfer Jamal Meriweather is heading to Coral Gables.
Meriweather, a 6-foot-7, 305-pound offensive lineman, is coming off a season where he appeared in 13 games for the Bulldogs - a team that’s been at the top of the SEC food chain. He’s got the frame, length, and athleticism that coaches love to mold, and he brings a blend of experience and upside that fits perfectly into what Miami is trying to build up front.
He’ll be a redshirt junior in 2026, and while he has the chops to play left tackle, he’s also shown the ability to slide inside to guard. That kind of versatility is gold for a staff that’s staring down a major transition along the offensive line.
Let’s break it down: Francis Mauigoa is off to the NFL, and he’s widely projected to be a first-round pick. Senior guard Anez Cooper and center James Brockermeyer have both exhausted their eligibility. That’s three starting-caliber players out the door, and a whole lot of reps to replace.
Internally, the Hurricanes are expected to give Ryan Rodriguez a shot at center - assuming he gets a sixth year of eligibility - but the rest of the line is still very much in flux. That’s where Meriweather becomes such a valuable piece. Whether he ends up locking down the left tackle spot or serves as a swing lineman who can plug in at multiple positions, he gives Miami a proven option who’s already seen action at the highest level of college football.
And no, this doesn’t take Miami out of the running for Jordan Seaton. If anything, it gives Cristobal and Mirabal more flexibility to mix and match as they build the best five-man front they can. Meriweather’s presence doesn’t close doors - it opens them.
This is the kind of move that might not light up social media, but it’s the type of addition that wins games in November. A seasoned, athletic lineman with SEC experience, stepping into a system known for developing big men? That’s a blueprint Miami can work with.