Three years ago, Miami was at rock bottom. The Hurricanes had just wrapped up a 5-7 season under first-year head coach Mario Cristobal, capped off by a brutal stretch that saw them outscored 127-29 in losses to Florida State, Clemson, and Pittsburgh.
The low point? A stunning home defeat to Middle Tennessee State that left the fanbase frustrated and recruits looking elsewhere.
But while the program looked unstable on the surface, a handful of high school stars saw something different. They saw a long-term vision.
They saw a coach with a blueprint. And they bought in.
Fast forward to now - exactly three years to the day after they signed - and that same group helped deliver Miami’s first-ever College Football Playoff victory.
Let’s start with Mark Fletcher. The former Ohio State commit decided to stay home and be part of the rebuild.
On Saturday in College Station, he didn’t just show up - he dominated. Fletcher ran for 173 yards on just 17 carries, averaging a ridiculous 10.1 yards per attempt.
His 56-yard burst late in the fourth quarter set up Miami’s only touchdown, and it couldn’t have come at a bigger moment. That’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just win games - it validates decisions.
Then there’s Rueben Bain. The edge rusher has been a force all season, and Saturday was no exception.
Three sacks. A blocked field goal.
Game-changing plays from a guy who’s projected to be one of the first names called in April’s NFL Draft. Bain has been the heartbeat of Miami’s defense all year, earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors with 7.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and a staggering 65 quarterback pressures.
His ability to disrupt and dominate at the line of scrimmage is what separates good defenses from elite ones - and Miami’s defense is starting to look elite.
On the offensive line, Francis Mauigoa had one of the toughest assignments in the country: handle SEC Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell and an aggressive Texas A&M front. Mauigoa didn’t flinch.
He played all 49 offensive snaps, allowed just one sack, and helped open up running lanes all day long. Fletcher’s big day doesn’t happen without Mauigoa setting the tone up front.
He’s been a rock at right tackle and was recognized as an All-American after the regular season - and rightfully so.
Head coach Mario Cristobal reflected on the trio earlier this month, calling them “the agents of change.” And it’s hard to argue.
They committed when the program was at its lowest. They stayed when others might have looked for the exit.
And now, they’re leading Miami into a new era.
“Very grateful, very blessed that we in this position,” Fletcher said after the win. “We 1-0 today, we will celebrate this and 1-0 next week.”
But it wasn’t just the headliners from that 2022 class making an impact.
Samson Okunlola, once a five-star recruit, has been steadily developing and is now rotating in with starter Matthew McCoy at left guard. Okunlola logged 20 snaps in the playoff win, allowing just one pressure and no sacks - a strong showing on a big stage.
Linebacker Raul Aguirre Jr. chipped in with 14 snaps and earned a solid 71.3 grade against the run. Cornerback Damari Brown, another key piece of that class, has been a major contributor throughout the season, though he missed the Texas A&M game due to injury.
Cristobal’s rebuild has been methodical - rooted in recruiting and player development. Each year under his watch, Miami has taken a step forward. From 5-7 in his first season, to 7-6 the next with a win over Texas A&M, to 10 wins in 2024 behind the nation’s top-ranked offense led by Cam Ward.
Now, in 2025, the Hurricanes are in the College Football Playoff. Eleven wins - their most since 2003. And a shot at the defending national champions, Ohio State, in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
This isn’t just a turnaround. It’s a transformation. And it started with a core group of players who saw past the record, ignored the noise, and believed in a vision before it had results.
Now, they’re the ones setting the standard.