Mohamed Toure is coming back for one last ride - and what a journey it’s been.
The veteran linebacker announced Sunday night that he’ll return to Miami for the 2026 season, marking his second year with the Hurricanes and his eighth overall in college football. Yes, eight.
Toure’s extended eligibility is the result of a redshirt year in 2019, the NCAA’s COVID exemption in 2020, and two medical redshirts following season-ending ACL injuries in 2022 and 2024. The second of those injuries was so severe, he said, that he had to relearn how to walk.
But here he is, still standing - and still making plays.
Toure’s college career began as a three-star recruit out of Pleasantville, N.J., where he signed with Rutgers and entered the program under then-head coach Chris Ash. When Greg Schiano returned to lead the Scarlet Knights, Toure became a key piece of the defense, especially as a pass rusher.
He led Rutgers in sacks in both 2020 and 2023, notching 4.5 in each of those seasons. But his impact wasn’t just about getting to the quarterback - in 2023, he filled up the stat sheet with 93 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and even an interception.
That kind of production made it clear: Toure wasn’t just a depth piece; he was a difference-maker.
After six seasons in Piscataway, Toure entered the spring transfer portal in 2025 and landed at Miami, reuniting with Corey Hetherman, who had coached him as the linebackers coach at Rutgers in 2023 and had since taken over as the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator. The reunion paid immediate dividends.
Toure led the team in tackles with 84 and was a consistent force in the middle of a defense that helped Miami reach its first national championship game appearance since 2002. The Canes ultimately fell to Indiana, but the run signaled a resurgence - and Toure was right in the heart of it.
Now, he’s back for one final season, aiming to help Miami finish what they started.
For the Hurricanes, bringing back a player with Toure’s experience, leadership, and production is a major win. He’s seen just about everything a college football player can see - coaching changes, position switches, devastating injuries, and deep postseason runs. And through it all, he’s remained a steady presence on the field and in the locker room.
There’s no question that Toure’s return adds both stability and firepower to a Miami defense that’s aiming to take the next step. He’s already proven he can lead a unit to the biggest stage. Now, he’ll try to help them win on it.