The transfer portal madness is mostly finished, and the Miami Hurricanes\u2019 2026 roster is likely close to complete.<\/p>\n
The UM roster is filled out with most, if not all, of its key players for next season, so we can project who will be the crucial starting players.<\/p>\n
Here is who will likely be the primary players for Miami this year:<\/p>\n
Quarterback<\/p>\n
Starter:\u00a0Darian Mensah<\/p>\n
Backup:\u00a0Luke Nickel or Judd Anderson<\/p>\n
Mensah encountered some legal difficulties<\/a> when he decided to transfer, but the former Duke quarterback found his way to Coral Gables. Now, barring an injury or other strange circumstance, he will be the Hurricanes\u2019 starting quarterback. He gives UM a high-level starter who can lead an offense.<\/p>\n Running back<\/p>\n Starter:\u00a0Mark Fletcher Jr.<\/p>\n Backup:\u00a0Marty Brown, Jordan Lyle, Girard Pringle Jr<\/p>\n The Hurricanes like to use a multitude of running backs, so while Fletcher will likely get the plurality of carries next season, Miami will also utilize several running backs. Brown was solid as a backup last season, and Pringle was explosive at the end of the season. Lyle has a lot of potential but was banged up for much of the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Wide receivers<\/p>\n Starters: Cooper Barkate, Vandrevius Jacobs, Malachi Toney<\/p>\n Backups: Josh Moore, Cam Vaughn, Daylyn Upshaw<\/p>\n Toney was the breakout star of the 2025 season; he slides right back into the same role as Miami\u2019s slot receiver in 2026. Barkate followed Mensah from Duke to Miami after putting up a 1,000-yard season in 2025. Jacobs is also a promising transfer from South Carolina.<\/p>\n Behind the main receivers will be rotational players who will see the field often, like Moore, Vaughn and Upshaw. Moore and Upshaw looked promising as freshmen, and Vaughn had a solid season at West Virginia.<\/p>\n Tight end<\/p>\n Starter:\u00a0Elija Lofton<\/p>\n Backup:\u00a0Luka Gilbert<\/p>\n Loftson had highs and lows in his first season as a major player, and he will likely be Miami\u2019s starter this season. Gilbert, a four-star prospect in the 2025 class, will likely move into a bigger role this season.<\/p>\n Offensive line<\/p>\n Starters:\u00a0Matthew McCoy, Samson Okunlola, SJ Alofaituli, Jamal Meriweather, Jackson Cantwell<\/p>\n Backups:\u00a0Ryan Rodriguez, Johnathan Cline, Joel Ervin, Juan Minaya<\/p>\n Coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal have a big task ahead of them this offseason. They have to rebuild an O-line that is losing four starters from 2025. McCoy and Okunlola are the two primary linemen returning, and either one can play guard or tackle. The rest of the line is less assured. UM signed five-star freshman Cantwell, who can fill Francis Mauigoa\u2019s role at right tackle. Touted rising sophomore Alofaituli or veteran Rodriguez could play center, and transfer Meriweather could win the right guard spot.<\/p>\n Defensive end<\/p>\n Starters:\u00a0Damon Wilson, Marquise Lightfoot<\/p>\n Backups:\u00a0Armondo Blount, Hayden Lowe<\/p>\n Miami loses two stars in Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, but it has a lot of talent to replace them. Wilson is a transfer from Missouri, who was a second-team All-SEC selection last season. Lightfoot performed well when rushing the passer when spelling Bain and Mesidor. Behind them are other talented players, including former five-star Blount (who can play defensive end or tackle) and Lowe,\u00a0who coaches raved about<\/a> before he suffered a season-ending injury.<\/p>\n Defensive tackle<\/p>\n Starters:\u00a0Ahmad Moten Sr., Justin Scott<\/p>\n Backup: Keona Davis, Jarquez Carter<\/p>\n Moten was one of the unsung standouts on Miami\u2019s stellar defense last season, and he opted to return to the Hurricanes this year. He should anchor the interior of the line alongside Scott, a former five-star prospect who had a solid season in 2025. Davis transferred to UM from Nebraska and will likely play a key rotational role. Carter is an intriguing option, as well, after transferring from Ohio State.<\/p>\n Linebacker<\/p>\n Starters:\u00a0Mo Toure, Kamal Bonner<\/p>\n Backups:\u00a0Bobby Pruitt, Kellen Wiley, Chase Smith<\/p>\n