MIAMI — Mario Cristobal’s third season in Miami still has a few more obstacles to clear before it can be considered a smashing success. Still, there’s no denying the Hurricanes have taken a step forward.
With one more victory, Miami will reach the 10-win mark for only the second time since it joined the ACC in 2004. For a program that won five national championships from 1983 to 2001, that’s a huge benchmark to cross after decades of mediocrity.
The next hurdle for Cristobal after Heisman favorite Cam Ward leaves following the season will be maintaining Miami’s place as a perennial College Football Playoff contender. Replacing Ward will be a big part of that.
Cristobal has at least done his part on the recruiting trail. Miami has signed back-to-back top-seven classes, and the 2025 recruiting class ranks 10th in the 247Sports Composite with the potential to climb higher with a few more flips.
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And Miami figures to be active again in the transfer portal. Of the 13 transfer additions last cycle, seven became full-time starters this season. More help is needed, especially at receiver, on the defensive line and in the secondary.
Here’s a quick position-by-position look at the state of Miami’s roster heading into next season with recruiting commitments and targets:
Quarterback
Sophomore Emory Williams, fourth-year transfer Reese Poffenbarger and freshman Judd Anderson will get a chance this spring to fill Ward’s shoes, but it’s almost a guarantee Cristobal will look to sign another proven commodity if one is available in the portal. Four-star Elite 11 finalist Luke Nickel from Alpharetta, Ga., will arrive in January, but freshmen rarely walk in and start right away anymore.
Running back
Damien Martinez hasn’t put up huge numbers (676 rushing yards, eight TDs in 10 games), but the junior is an NFL prospect, and if he leaves for the pros, it wouldn’t be a surprise. The position, however, remains in good hands with sophomore Mark Fletcher and explosive freshman Jordan Lyle as solid building blocks to rely on heading into next season. Four-star recruit Girard Pringle Jr. is another speedster who could replace whoever decides to leave via the portal.
Receiver
The Hurricanes are going to miss seniors Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo, the latter the program’s all-time leader in catches, yards and receiving touchdowns. Houston transfer Sam Brown Jr. and sophomore Isaiah Horton have to decide whether they’re going to return with Ward’s departure.
What remains on the roster is a young group led by seldom-used sophomore Ray Ray Joseph, junior Shemar Kirk and freshmen Jojo Trader, Ny Carr and Chance Robinson. So, it is pretty obvious Miami will be in the market for transfers. The three 2025 receiver commitments are four-star prospects Joshua Moore and Malachi Toney from nearby Broward County high schools and three-star prospect Daylyn Upshaw from Phenix City (Ala.). The Hurricanes haven’t given up on trying to flip five-star Dallas Wilson from Tampa (Fla.) from his Oregon commitment.
Tight end
Fourth-year junior Elijah Arroyo has had the kind of bounce-back season he was hoping for and will have to decide whether he’s going pro at season’s end. Ninth-year senior Cam McCormick cannot return for a 10th year. So, that leaves sophomore Riley Williams, redshirt freshman Jackson Carver and talented true freshman Elija Lofton as the likely holdovers. Miami has two four-star commitments in Brock Schott from Indiana and Luka Gilbert from Ohio ready to slide in as the new additions. It would not shock if Miami added an experienced transfer if Arroyo departs and a replacement is available.
Offensive line
Center Zach Carpenter is playing through his final year of eligibility and will need to be replaced. So could fifth-year junior Jalen Rivers, who has to decide whether he’s turning pro. It’s likely Miami will have four full-time starters back in left tackle Markel Bell, left guard Matthew McCoy, right guard Anez Cooper and right tackle Francis Mauigoa.
Four commitments are part of the 2025 class headlined by top-100 interior lineman Seuseu Alofaituli from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman and four-star interior prospect Max Buchanan from Sanford (Fla.) Seminole.
Defensive line
Five of the top eight players in terms of snaps on the defensive line will be out of eligibility after the season. Junior Akheem Mesidor and sophomores Rueben Bain and Ahmad Moten are the veterans in line to return. Miami has nine freshmen it signed in the 2024 cycle, led by five-star recruits Justin Scott, Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot.
This cycle, the Hurricanes have four defensive line commitments, led by four-star edge rushers Hayden Lowe from Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian and Herbert Scroggins from Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School. Ohio State four-star defensive tackle commit Jarquez Carter from Newberry (Fla.) remains a flip candidate before signing day. It makes sense Miami will be in the market to add two to four quality veterans in the portal.
Linebacker
Leading tackler Francisco Mauigoa is out of eligibility and needs to be replaced. Junior Wesley Bissainthe, meanwhile, should be back to help provide starting experience along with junior Jaylin Alderman. After that, the Hurricanes have five first- and second-year freshmen who could be ready to take a leap next season.
There are two linebackers in the 2025 recruiting class: four-star prospect Gavin Nix from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy and three-star prospect Ezekiel Marcelin from Miami Central. A third linebacker could be added to the class. Two targets: Ohio State four-star commit Tarvos Alford from Vero Beach (Fla.) and uncommitted four-star prospect Kellen Wiley from Seffner (Fla.) Armwood.
Defensive back
Two starters — safety Mishael Powell and cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. — are out of eligibility after this season. Five experienced starters are expected back, including sophomore safety Jaden Harris, cornerback OJ Frederique and juniors Jadais Richard and D’Yoni Hill. Sophomore Damari Brown could be another key returner after injury that has kept him out most of the season.
That doesn’t mean Miami won’t be active in the portal. Six commitments are part of the 2025 class headlined by top-100 safety Hylton Stubbs and four-star cornerbacks Jaboree Antoine, Bryce Fitzgerald, Chris Ewald and Amari Wallace. There’s still a chance Miami could flip five-star cornerback DJ Pickett from Zephyrhills (Fla.) from his commitment to LSU.
(Top photo of Mario Cristobal: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
