Projecting Who's Staying and Who's Leaving from Miami After CFP Title Loss

Miami, officially, is back.

Mario Cristobal has returned his alma mater to prominence, leading the hometown Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The season ultimately ended with a 27-21 loss to Indiana, but it was still a successful year for the program.

Sure, it was a nerve-wracking wait until Selection Day for Miami to find itself in the bracket. But the 'Canes received that fortunate call, capitalized on their opportunity and downed Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss during a memorable playoff run.

Now the next step is winning one more game and bringing home a national championship.

Miami is well-built to continue this success in 2026, but a vacancy at quarterback, an offensive line in transition and some needed reinforcements on defense stand out as key offseason priorities.

Who's Staying

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Malachi Toney

The Rising Superstar

It can hardly be mentioned enough that Malachi Toney was supposed to be a senior in high school this fall. However, he reclassified to join the 'Canes—and they reached the CFP in no small part because of him. Toney set a program record for receptions, made an impact as a Wildcat quarterback and returned punts. He's the single-most important player on the roster.

Rebuilt Secondary

Miami's meltdown in coverage wasted a spectacular offense last year, but a transfer-fueled unit turned into a bright spot in 2025. Even as two tremendous players depart, Miami has a ton of returning experience with cornerbacks Xavier Lucas, OJ Frederique Jr., Ethan O'Connor and Damari Brown and safeties Zechariah Poyser and Bryce Fitzgerald. None of them will be seniors in 2026, either.

Standout Coordinators

We could gush about Marquise Lightfoot, Justin Scott and Armando Blount, the highly recruited trio of defensive linemen poised to take critical roles. But neither offensive play-caller Shannon Dawson nor defensive mastermind Corey Hetherman landed on a head-coaching role in this hiring cycle. There are very few coordinator duos in the country better than Dawson and Hetherman.

Who's Leaving

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Carson Beck

QB Carson Beck

Money well spent! The former Georgia starter ended up forgoing the NFL draft and signing a lucrative deal at Miami. He made mistakes, but Beck overcame a rough midseason stretch to help the 'Canes make the CFP. Ultimately, he provided a key upgrade at a position that desperately needed a post-Cam Ward jolt.

Power in the Trenches

Not only are center James Brockermeyer and right guard Anez Cooper out of eligibility, right tackle Francis Mauigoa is a likely first-round NFL draft pick. At minimum, Miami has to replace three starters up front. Markel Bell, technically a senior yet able to return, may choose the professional route as well. Cristobal was a lineman, and Alex Mirabal is an elite O-line coach. Miami should be OK. But there will be a learning curve for the blocking crew in 2026.

Pair of Elite Duos

Edge-rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor both landed first-team All-ACC honors, while nickelback Keionte Scott and safety Jakobe Thomas garnered second-team recognition. They leave substantial voids on a Miami defense that ascended from a liability in 2024 to outstanding this season.

Who's on the Way

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Plug-and-Play Transfers

Thanks to how solidly Miami has recruited lately and performed in 2025, there isn't a massive void on the roster. The exception, of course, is QB—although rumors have connected the 'Canes to Duke transfer Darian Mensah. Otherwise, incoming players like wideouts Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina) and Cam Vaughn (West Virginia) and nickel/safety Omar Thornton (Boston College) should contribute right away.

Day 1 Starting Tackle?

Out goes Mauigoa, once a 5-star prospect who surged into Miami's lineup at right tackle as a true freshman. However, in comes Jackson Cantwell, the fourth-ranked overall prospect in the 2026 cycle. Especially if Bell leaves too, Cantwell has a path to a starting job right away.

Top-10 Recruiting Class

Cantwell is the undisputed gem of a 30-player haul, but Miami's new class is loaded with potential. Of particular intrigue is a trio of 4-star receivers—Somourian Wingo (50th), Milan Parris (125th) and Vance Spafford (226th)—who could follow in Toney's footsteps and join him in making a difference as true freshmen, depending on how aggressively the 'Canes look at receivers in the portal.