The Hurricanes lost 18 players from their 2025 roster to the transfer portal this offseason.

Many of those players were unlikely to see much playing time in 2026, so they sought greener pastures elsewhere.

However, some of the players who left UM may have been valuable contributors to the 2026 team.

Here are five transfers whose departures may hit UM the hardest:

Raul Aguirre Jr., linebacker

Aguirre, who was a four-star prospect out of high school, is the transfer departure who played the most last season, racking up 304 defensive snaps last season. He started one game and played in all 16. Aguirre had 43 tackles with two tackles for loss last season. He had a 63.1 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus and a strong 86.1 run-defense grade.

With starting linebacker Wesley Bissainthe out of eligibility, Aguirre was poised to potentially move into a starting role next season. But Aguirre decided to transfer, and he landed at N.C. State, along with fellow Miami transfers Jojo Trader and Chance Robinson.

Tommy Kinsler IV, offensive lineman

Kinsler was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class, and he spent the previous three seasons as a backup. He played a total of 113 offensive snaps over three seasons. But he had earned praise during the offseason and looked poised to compete for a role this year.

Miami is losing four of its six main offensive linemen from last season, opening up several spots for players to compete for roles. Kinsler may have been in the mix for one of those spots. He transferred to Ole Miss.

Donta Simpson, defensive tackle

Simpson, a three-star recruit in the 2025 class, played one season with the Hurricanes after arriving from Broward County powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna.

The freshman had earned promising reviews from coaches and teammates in his first season. He played 105 snaps and had four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Hurricanes are losing defensive tackle David Blay Jr. but returning Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott, making a path to starting tricky. Simpson likely would have been a rotational tackle, providing key depth at the position. Simpson transferred to Missouri.

Jadais Richard, defensive back

Richard missed most of the 2025 season after suffering an ACL injury at the end of the 2024 season. He returned late in the season, playing 20 snaps in three games.

Richard has been a versatile defensive back in his career. If healthy, he could have played a key depth role at outside cornerback, nickelback or safety. Miami is losing key defensive backs like Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas to the NFL this offseason.

Brock Schott, tight end

Schott is a former four-star tight end of whom UM coach Mario Cristobal once said “looks like something out of the Predator movies.”

The standout prospect played briefly in his one season at Miami, making two catches for 24 yards in two games played.

Tight end Alex Bauman is out of eligibility, but fellow tight ends Elija Lofton and Luka Gilbert are returning. UM signed a pair of four-star tight ends, Israel Briggs and Gavin Mueller. Those four other tight ends may have squeezed Schott out of more playing time next year, and he transferred to national champion Indiana.